Good Samaritan Shelter holding holiday toy drive to help out kids in need

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Good Samaritan Shelter is holding its annual holiday toy drive to benefit children who are clients of the Santa Barbara County-based non-profit organization.

The ongoing event concludes this Thursday, Dec. 15 with an all-day collection drive that will be held at Stowasser Buick GMC in Santa Maria from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"The toy drive that we do is directly benefiting those who are staying in our programs," said Alexis Nshamamba, Good Samaritan Shelter Housing & Quality Assistance Director. "These gifts that we receive go directly to the children who are within our programs here at Good Samaritan."

Good Samaritan is asking for unwrapped toys, clothes or other basic necessities for kids of all ages.

"Toys, clothes, kids socks is a good one, kids sweaters, new sweaters, family games are really good," said Nshamamba. "Basketballs, soccer balls, toys, Barbis, baby dolls, stuffed animals, something you would want to give your own kids."

Donations will later be given to a child within the Good Samaritan Shelter program.

"Kids that we serve have very little possessions," said Nshamamba. "Most of them had to leave unfortunate housing situations and they come with backpacks of stuff, and so for them to have something of their own, and to have the joy of opening a present is something that we are excited to be a part of and we're thankfull that we do get to be a part of that every year."

Donations may be dropped off between now and Thursday at Stowasser or at any participating Starbucks in Santa Maria.

"We have quite a lot of a variety of toys for all ages right now, so to be able to give back to these kids and so it feels really good to be able to be a part of this," said Acacia Scalise, Stowasser Buick GMC Internet Sales Manager. "We hope you are able to contribute, even if it's one gift or 20 gifts. We're thankful and we're hope you are willing to give back to the community as well." 

Stowasser Buick GMC is located at 600 E. Betteravia Road in Santa Maria.

Good Samaritan Shelter provides the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo communities with many programs addressing homelessness as well as alcohol and substance abuse.

Assistance it provides includes shelter, affordable housing, clean & sober living, drug and alcohol treatment, outreach and education within the local community.

For more information about Good Samaritan Shelter, click here.