Randy Kirk Hosts Seventh Annual Toy Drive for Local Families
Morgan Hill – The Holiday Season is a time for giving. In the spirit of the season, former 49er linebacker Randy Kirk and wife Donna are hosting the seventh annual Randy Kirk Toy Drive, which benefits local families in need, on Monday at the Box Seat Sports Grill and Pub on Vineyard Blvd. in Morgan Hill from 6-8pm.
The event is open to the public, who are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or gift to donate. Gifts for older children and teenagers, such as clothes or gift cards, are strongly recommended because they tend to be in short supply each year.
Items collected during the evening will be distributed to local children and teenagers in need through Community Solutions and St. Catherine’s Church Holiday Giving programs.
Kirk, who was born and raised in Morgan Hill, has gotten recognition for playing with the 49ers and wanted to use that recognition to help out in his community. The toy drive came about as a way to continue to help out and provide for under-privileged kids at the Holiday time.
“It sounds cliché, but it’s true, this is a way to give back to the community. If I can get people to come out and donate, it’s great. It doesn’t take a whole lot of work,” said Kirk. “People are often looking for ways to help out and there are a lot of generous people out there.”
In previous years the toy drive has been a success with people packing into the Box Seat for standing room only and Kirk expects the same this year.
“The more the merrier,” said Kirk of the expected turnout. “Hopefully I have to bring a trailer to load all the toys and gifts.”
The 49ers have donated sports memorabilia items, like signed helmets and tee shirts, which will be raffled off during the evening to entice people to come out and donate for the event. A raffle ticket will be handed out for each unwrapped gift or toy donated and additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event.
The purpose of the toy drive is not to give away items, but to get people into the holiday spirit of giving, according to Cecilia Clark of Community Solutions, and they try to keep the evening focused on the children in need.
Kirk will be joined by current and former NFL players and will sign autographs throughout the evening.
