Toy Program

SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS TOY PROGRAM

A LONG HISTORY OF HELPING FAMILIES IN NEED

Founded in 1949 by a handful of Firefighters, the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has evolved into the City's largest and the nation's oldest year-round toy program of its kind. Driven by active and retired Local 798 Firefighters, Toy Program volunteers, and businesses that donate their time and resources, each year the Toy Program distributes over 200,000 toys to disadvantaged Bay Area children.

In addition to helping individual families in need, the Toy Program serves many community organizations, including shelters for abused women and children, inner-city schools, children’s cancer wards, and pediatric units. The Toy Program also responds on a year-round basis to displaced families who become victims of fires, floods, and other life-changing disasters.

CHILDREN’S TOY AND BOOK FESTIVAL

In December, the Toy Program was happy to partner with the San Francisco Department of Child Support Services and Mayor London Breed to welcome back local school kids to the Children’s Toy and Book Festival. Due to the pandemic, this annual event had to be cancelled, but fortunately this past year we were able to welcome over 1,200 local children to City Hall where they received a new, unwrapped toy, a book, and a photo with San Francisco Firefighters and Santa Claus.

ETHNIC DOLL DRIVE

The Toy Program believes that every child should have a doll that is reflective of their culture, values, and that inspires them to believe in themselves. In 2012, the Toy Program started a major campaign to ensure that dolls given to the community are reflective of the diverse population that the Firefighters serve throughout the city. The Toy Program purchases doll clothing that represents occupations such as firefighters, police o cers, doctors, and astronauts to inspire children to reach their highest potential. The Toy Program strives to ensure that everyone is included and represented in the toys and books that are available for distribution.

ANNUAL BICYCLE GIVEAWAY

Each year, the Toy Program holds a letter-writing contest and receives several hundred heartfelt letters and hand-drawn pictures from local children. The letters explain to Local 798 Firefighters why they should “Make Their Day.” In November, approximately 100 San Francisco families attended a Winter Wonderland celebration featuring Santa Claus, a delicious lunch, and the distribution of hundreds of bicycles to local children.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Toy Program would not be possible without our incredibly generous sponsors and donors, including the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association, the St. Francis Yacht Club, Kings of Cali Motorcycle Club, San Francisco Laborers International Union Local 261, the Italian Community Services Auxiliary, SC Johnson, Puzzle HR, Frisco’s Finest Car Club, the Academy of Art University, and Ca é Trieste, just to name some of our incredible supporters. Local 798 also thanks all of the amazing sta , volunteers, and active and retired members who dedicate countless hours and continue to make the Toy Program a resounding success, including SF Firefighters Toy Chairperson Sally Casazza, Special Events Coordinator Jill Peeler, and Local 798 Vice President Danny Gracia.