Volunteers had collected over 100 toys by around 10 a.m. Saturday
Mesai Alonsabe piles on toys collected during his annual Mesai’s Merry Toy Drive in front of Java Jax in downtown Vallejo on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Christmas music, brightly wrapped donation boxes and a dancing “Grinch” brought donations aplenty to the annual Mesai’s Merry Toy Drive in Vallejo on Saturday.
Donor Palmer Waters, who loaded Barbie dolls and other gifts out of the back of her car at Java Jax, likes buying toys when she sees them on sale – usually giving them away, but sometimes keeping a couple for herself.
“I love toys myself, and every child should have a toy,” Waters said.
Organizer Mesai Alonsabe had the idea to start a toy drive when he was just six years old. Now 15, he loves knowing that he is helping bring Christmas joy to Vallejo’s children.
“(There are) young kids out here that don’t have anything – then I come and help them out,” Alonsabe said. “I go out there. I just feel strongly about how the kids are and how they feel.”
Alonsabe’s mother, Michelle Alonsabe-Davis, estimated around 10 a.m. Saturday that volunteers had collected over 100 toys since the start of the day. She hopes the donations can make life a little easier for families who “are barely making it day to day,” but still want their children to have toys on Christmas.
Alonsabe-Davis is proud of what her son has accomplished over the past nine years.
“I think it fills his soul. I think it completes him, knowing what he can do for his community,” she said.
Mesai Alonsabe carries a box of toys as he helps unload a van of toys donated by Lloyd and Betty Hummert during his annual Mesai’s Merry Toy Drive in front of Java Jax in downtown Vallejo on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
The “Grinch,” Lisa Gutierrez-Wilson, drew honks from cars, waves from passersby and nervous barks from a dog out on a walk as she moved her hips to holiday hits. She helped load bags of donations out of vehicles and hand them off to volunteers.
Gerald Hunter, Alonsabe’s football coach, brought dolls and boardgames to donate. He’s new to Vallejo but eager to help the community and his players.
“We like to support him in everything he does, keep it going for the kids,” Hunter said.
Volunteer Jaya Franklin enjoys doing community service and was working the toy drive for the first time Saturday.
“I heard about the toy drive, so I was like, ‘Hey, I can give back to the community, and how about kids?” she said.
Mesai’s Merry Toy Drive will continue accepting donations in toy bins at the following Vallejo locations through Dec. 20:
Lisa Gutierrez-Wilson, dressed ans the Grinch dances to draw attention to Mesai’s Merry Toy Drive in front of Java Jax in downtown Vallejo on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
- St. Basil’s Catholic Church Preschool
- Glen Cove Elementary School
- A Man and His Hat
- Quickly Vallejo
- Vallejo New Life Church of the Nazarene
- Vallejo Grocery Outlet
Asked what keeps him going year after year, Alonsabe said it’s all about the children.
“Knowing that there’s a good deed going to kids that need these toys, and just to see the joy and happiness in the kids,” he said.