FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Redwood City, CA - November 15, 2009 - Bethlehem A.D. is partnering with the Redwood City Police and Firefighters Association’s in being a toy and book collection site during the three performance nights of Bethlehem A.D. Last year, the Toy and Book Drive was able to provide over 12,000 toys and books to over 500 families in Redwood City and the unincorporated areas around the city. Volunteer officers and firefighters join “Santa Claus” to deliver presents to the families.
More than 8,000 visitors make their way through the village of Bethlehem each night. “If only 10% of the visitors who came would donate a new toy or book, we’d be able to fulfill the needs of the entire Toy and Book Drive”, says Gary Peters, pastor of Peninsula Christian Center, who sponsors the massive live nativity in Downtown Redwood City. “We need more partnerships like this to bring the true meaning of Christmas out of the church walls and into the community. We are here in Redwood City to not only help meet the spiritual needs of this community but the day-to-day physical needs as well.”
The Toy and Book Drive also needs volunteers to participate in its massive wrapping party. “It takes a large team of volunteers to wrap 12,000 gifts.” Officer Dan Smith explains. “Not only do we need gifts and gift wrappers for the Wrapping Party, we could use donations of food and drinks so that our volunteers don’t go hungry while wrapping the thousands of gifts we need.” The Wrapping Party is scheduled Monday, December 14th at 5:00pm to 8:00pm, held at the Red Morton Community City (1120 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City).
If you would like more information about the Redwood City Police and Firefighters Association’s annual Toy and Book Drive, please visit www.rwctoydrive.com. You can also download the sign-up form to request a toy and book collection bin or volunteer for the wrapping part here.
More information, photos, and videos of Bethlehem A.D. can be found at www.BethlehemAD.com.
CONTACT:
Officer Dan Smith, Coordinator
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(650)556-1650
Shawn White, Bethlehem A.D. Liaison
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(650)529-4640
