'Tis the season to give to Toys for Tots in Lincoln

It's the season of giving and Toys for Tots is in full operation. The toy distribution began on Dec. 1 and the last official distribution date will be Dec.15, although that might be extended according to demand. Toys for Tots is a nationwide, nonprofit organization that donates new, unwrapped toys to children in need during the holiday season. The Southwest Placer County Toys for Tots serves the Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville, Penryn, Newcastle and Granite Bay communities. In 2020, Lincoln Toys for Tots distributed more than 20,000 toys, which supported 5,000-plus children during the holidays. Southwest Placer County Toys for Tots coordinator Frank Neves hopes to surpass those numbers in this year's toy drive. As of last week, Neves estimated that up to 4,000 toys have been collected throughout all of southwest Placer and up to 2,000 toys have been distributed so far. Neves has been a part of Toys for Tots since 2005. He began as the assistant coordinator and became coordinator in 2018. "People in the community should contribute time and money to organizations like Toys for Tots to brighten the lives of young people who will someday take the reins of leadership in our society," Neves said. "The more we nurture and cultivate the healthy development of every human being, the better off all of us will be." Neves became involved with Toys for Tots because he was inspired by a fellow Marine, Marine Lt. Colonel Tom Fox who brought Toys for Tots into Santa Clara County. Neves at the time was a caseworker in child welfare in Santa Clara County, where he saw "how powerful encouragement can be in helping people surmount their difficulties and perform at astonishing levels under very difficult circumstances." "He (Fox) had an incredible bearing, the type of person who leads by example," Neves said. "His was a quiet type of leadership, always with the thought in mind that leaders should be servants." The Southwest Placer Toys for Tots website emphasizes how the organization heavily relies on local nonprofit organizations and other organizations to help distribute collected toys. High school students through south Placer such as Granite Bay High, Rocklin High and Lincoln Christian Academy also collect toys schoolwide to donate toward Toys for Tots. This year, Neves and his team received an inaugural $5,000 grant from Macy's in the Roseville Galleria to spend on buying toys to donate to youth in need. Neves had 11 Lincoln Christian Academy students select the toys for the children. "The students spent that $5,000 grant toward shopping for other kids within an hour and a half," Neves said. "It was incredible, I think the kids make the best selectors of toys to help other kids." Lawrence Pineda, Macy's senior director and store manager in the Roseville Galleria added, "This had all the kids and those young at heart feeling like a Toys R' Us Kid." Through the $5,000 grant, Macy's donated nearly 250 toys to Toys for Tots, according to Pineda. In the past couple years, Southwest Placer County Toys for Tots has also formed a partnership with "The Tower of Niceness" organization. This organization collects gifts and other needs for sick children in Sutter and Kaiser hospitals. This ensures that sick children in the hospital also receive toys and goods during the holiday season. Neves is "very proud of this partnership" as well as "the amazing support" he has received from Toys for Tots headquarters and their manufacturers. If toys are still being donated, distribution can continue into January if toy requests come beyond Christmas. You can make a monetary donation online on the Lincoln Toys for Tots website at lincoln-ca.toysfortots.org or drop off toys at the following locations: The Almond Tree Lounge at 214 Harding Blvd., RosevilleCertis Solutions at 990 Reserve Drive, Suite 290, RosevilleRoseville Fire Station 316 Vernon St., No.480, Roseville.The Penryn Fire District 7206 Church St., PenrynLincoln City Hall, 600 6th St. (next to the front entrance inside)Lincoln Fire Station 126 Joiner Parkway, LincolnRocklin Fire Station 4060 Rocklin Road, Rocklin.