|  Last week, our Local Conservation Corps teamed up with 1000 Friends of Fresno, Inc. to bring Christmas joy to over 1,200 children and their families. The 3 rd Annual 1000 Friends of Fresno Toy Giveaway at our Neighborhood Youth Center brought together volunteers from Fresno area churches, Clovis East’s Girls’ soccer team, corpsmembers and students to spread some joy in West Fresno.
Families arrived to the Neighborhood Youth Center as early as 7:30 a.m. for the afternoon event. The line in front of the Neighborhood Youth Center steadily grew full of excited children and their families, all anxious for Santa’s arrival.
The event took over 30 volunteers to prepare for Santa’s arrival. Volunteers worked hard to not only decorate the facility but to also bag food as giveaways. Families also received toys for their children and clean clothing. Throughout the day, children lined up to take pictures with Santa and to get their face painted by church volunteers.
“We could not pull off this event if it weren’t for all the dedicated volunteers who put in hours and hours of time to make this event special for the children,” said Don Anderson, Program Director for 1000 Friends of Fresno. “[These volunteers] truly give from their hearts.”
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