In the spirit of giving during the Christmas season, the City Government of Davao, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and in collaboration with Toyhobbyx, has launched a toy donation drive in Davao City.
The toy drive is an initiative by Toyhobbyx that aims to spread the joy of toys to the less fortunate Dabawenyo kids in Davao City.
Roberto Marco Samson, the Toyhobbyx event’s organizer, said the initiative was driven by the participants’ love and enthusiasm for collecting toys and their desire to share their blessings.
He said they were able to host toy fairs with the assistance of their partner company, where toy vendors come together to showcase their collections and demonstrate to Dabawenyos how toys may help people forget their problems and cope with stress.
“Ever since we were young, all the way to our adult stage, we really love collecting toys because it brings us joy. So it was this time that we were tapped to serve as the organizers for Toyhobbyx, which is an event in Gaisano Mall Toril last September,” he said.
“Kasi we don’t want others to feel left out. We want people to be able to share kasi kahit po matanda, bata, mayaman, nag-eenjoy talaga sa pag-collect ng toys (We want people to be able to share because even the old, the young, the rich, really enjoy collecting toys). So, we wanted to share the blessings that we have with others who are somewhat less fortunate,” he said.
He said the toy drive project at the Gaisano Mall of Toril ran from September 30 to October 6. It is now a bigger project with the help of the city government.
“Nag-suggest din si Mayor na why not make it a year-round thing, bakit i-lilimit natin sa isang linggo lang magto-toy drive. Why not go beyond the event, especially since Ber Months na po siya. Why not put up a station also within City Hall? So yun, we were able to provide a station basket (The Mayor also suggested that why not make it a year-round thing, and limit the toy drive to just one week. Why not go beyond the event especially since it is Ber Months? Why not put up a station also within City Hall? So we were able to supply a station basket),” he said.
He said the majority of the toys gathered during the Gaisano Mall Toril toy drive were stuffed toys and other well-known figures, and were turned over to the local government.
He said all toys gathered, including those donated this month, will be distributed to Dabawenyo children during barangay visits.
Anna Kristina Samson, one of the organizers said, their toy drive is unique because the toys gathered are not the typical outdated toys.
“Most of those from the toy community who donate it, yung dinonate nila is not the usual na napagsawaan o lumang toys (The toys they donated are the usual toys that were fed off) These are well taken care of. So talagang napakaganda nung quality (So, the qualities are so nice),” she said.
She said Dabawenyos who want to donate their toys may drop these at the collection box placed in the City Hall Lobby.
“For those who want to donate, we are encouraging it can be pre-owned kasi this is where the kids will start donating, so kung tuturuan natin sila to give maganda ‘yung sila yung mamili from their own toys. So all kind of toys welcome po yun siya talaga (For those who want to donate, we are encouraging it can be pre-owned because this is where the kids will start donating, if we teach them to give, it’s nice that they are the ones who will choose from their own toys. So all kinds of toys are welcome),” she said.
Samson also encouraged Dabawenyos to share their blessings by donating toys.
“We highly encourage everyone na mag-share ng ating blessings. Being toy collectors, sigurado kami mapapasaya niyo talaga yung mga bata (We highly encourage everyone to share our blessings. Being toy collectors, we are sure you will really make the children happy),” he said.
Dabawenyos who are willing to donate may drop their toy donations at the City Hall Davao Lobby during office hours. CIO
