The Veterans Group of San Quentin’s Toy Land for Kids toy giveaway program took place at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s main visiting December 20, 21, 22, and on Christmas Day.
VGSQ transformed the children’s play area into a festive toy store by displaying gifts to highlight the holiday giving spirit. Residents and their children selected gifts as if shopping at a store. The toys sat on tables covered with Christmas-themed wrapping while a colorfully decorated Christmas tree lit up the room.
“I can’t shop with my daughter like I want to, but today, I’m able to do that,” said resident Daniel Tolosa, 29, a first-time father. “Here she gets to pick out a toy and know her papa gave it to her. This is a beautiful feeling that I’ve been looking forward to all year.”
The program provided gifts for ages 3 to 17. A variety of toys included doctor’s medical kit play sets, Mini Barbie Land vans, Avengers’ Ant Man figures, construction site play sets, and remote-controlled cars. A Velvet coloring art poster read “Born to be Awesome, Girl Power.”
Speaking about his children, resident David Avila, 37, said, “To directly receive something from me helps to build connections that are needed.”
Matty, Avila’s fiancée, called the program “great.” She added, “It was something he was unable to directly do in the past for his children. He could take home gifts for his grandchildren so that they were still able to receive Christmas presents.”
VGSQ chairperson Noah Winchester, 40, a San Quentin resident, said the population donated around $3,100 from their trust accounts. This event marked the first time residents donated directly to VGSQ for this event. San Quentin staff also had a chance to donate. VGSQ sponsor Ron Self, a former San Quentin resident, used the donations to buy 124 toys. VGSQ and the California Model Resource Team collaborated with the Fourth Reconnaissance Battalion US Marine Corps for the event.
The visiting room at H-unit, San Quentin’s dormitory-style housing unit, received 40 toys and the remaining 84 toys went to the main visiting center. Warden Chance Andes, VGSQ sponsor Tina R., Community Resource Manager Office Technician A. Torres, and officers from the CMRT helped with distribution.
“This type of event means everything because it’s just me and my brother,” said Myiako C., who visited her loved one. “Being able to experience receiving presents in this environment is awesome and helpful.”
Winchester said the event created a welcoming atmosphere that showed kindness, compassion, and service. “Having an opportunity to put back into our community gives me purpose to keep going, allowing me to take pride in continuing to do the work while seeing humanity at its best,” he said.
Marvin, 11, and David, 8, two nephews of resident Edgar Rodriguez, 33, had arrived at the event with cheerful spirit. Marvin said, “I’m happy. It’s pretty cool to be with my uncle picking out my toys. I haven’t seen him in a long time.” His brother David picked out a hobbyhorse and named it Jerry. He said he loved the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry.
“This affords both the public and [the] administration to view incarcerated veterans as more than just their crimes,” said resident and VGSQ participant Steve Drown, 75.
Since the 1980s, VGSQ has had a mission to work year-round to serve incarcerated veterans at San Quentin through the camaraderie of military service. Leftover toys went to the Marine Corps’ Toys-for-Tots program.
The Veterans Group of San Quentin said they wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
