San Diego, CA, December 10, 2025
During the holiday season, local schools and organizations in San Diego are actively engaging in charitable initiatives to uplift the community. Events such as ‘Toys for a Cause’ and the Ugly Sweater Holiday Toy Drive are among various efforts aimed at collecting toys and providing essential support to families in need. Community-wide efforts also include the YMCA’s Teen Holiday Giveback, ElderHelp’s Holiday Angels program for seniors, and inclusive activities organized by the Special Needs Resource Foundation. These initiatives highlight the spirit of giving within San Diego.
San Diego Schools and Organizations Support Community During Holiday Season
San Diego, CA – Local schools and organizations are actively engaging in charitable initiatives to support the community during the holiday season.
San Diego High School’s ‘Toys for a Cause’ Event
On December 3, 2025, San Diego High School hosted a ‘Toys for a Cause’ event, combining a holiday-themed basketball game with a toy drive and family-oriented activities. The event encouraged community members to bring new, unwrapped toys and participate in various activities, aiming to ensure children in the community receive gifts during the holidays.
5th Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Toy Drive
On December 8, 2025, the 5th Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Toy Drive took place at the Martin Johnson Beach House. Organized by Black Tech Link and the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals, the event featured an ugly sweater party and toy drive benefiting community youth and families in partnership with the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.
SDWF Holiday Party with a Purpose 2025
Scheduled for December 11, 2025, the San Diego Women’s Foundation (SDWF) is hosting its Holiday Party with a Purpose 2025. The event will support ElderHelp of San Diego’s Holiday Angels program, which delivers holiday cheer to seniors by providing festive plants, gift cards, and handmade greeting cards. Attendees are encouraged to donate $25 Walmart or Target gift cards, purchase items from ElderHelp’s Amazon Wish List, or make online contributions.
Operation School Bell® by Assistance League – Greater San Diego
Assistance League – Greater San Diego’s Operation School Bell® program provides new clothing and shoes to students in need across San Diego County. Serving over 8,000 students last year, the program aims to boost confidence and support academic success by ensuring children have appropriate attire for school.
YMCA of San Diego County’s Teen Holiday Giveback
The YMCA of San Diego County is organizing its third annual Teen Holiday Giveback event. Initiated in 2022, this event addresses the lack of meaningful, age-appropriate gifts for teens at traditional holiday events. The YMCA aims to provide gifts to over 200 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 this year.
All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fairs by Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego hosts inclusive events, such as the All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair, combining efforts with local organizations to help families find needed resources and create wonderful family memories through play and inclusion. These events are free and open to the public.
San Diego Holiday Bazaar at Liberty Station
On December 6, 2025, Liberty Station hosted its 4th Annual Local Holiday Bazaar, featuring over 125 local artisans, live music, and holiday-themed activities. The event highlighted community support for small businesses, offering a vibrant marketplace for holiday shopping.
Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos
Christmas Card Lane is a holiday light display in the Rancho Penasquitos community of San Diego. Residents erect giant plywood greetings in their front yards depicting cartoon characters, religious images, or Christmas themes, creating a festive atmosphere for the community.
Del Mar Highlands Town Center’s Christmas Giving Back Night
On December 10, 2025, Del Mar Highlands Town Center is hosting its Christmas Giving Back Night, featuring a visit from Santa, hot chocolate, seasonal treats, art and dance performances from local students, and more. The event also includes check presentations of over $20,000 donated to 17 San Diego schools and the San Diego Fire and Police Departments.
STAR/PAL’s ‘Shop With A Cop’ Event
STAR/PAL participates in the annual ‘Shop With A Cop’ event in December, selecting 300 youth participants from schools throughout the county. Underserved youth are partnered with law enforcement officers and treated to breakfast, a private animal show at SeaWorld, and a $100 shopping trip at Target. More than 300 law enforcement officers participate, representing nearly 30 different agencies in San Diego County.
ElderHelp of San Diego’s Holiday Angels Program
ElderHelp of San Diego’s Holiday Angels program delivers holiday cheer to hundreds of local seniors each year. Volunteers deliver warm wishes along with a festive plant, a $25 gift card, and a handmade greeting card to each senior, and pet owners even receive a little something for their furry friends. This outreach brightens spirits during a season when many older adults may feel especially alone.
La Jolla Country Day School’s Community Engagement
La Jolla Country Day School, an independent school in University City, engages in various community service projects during the holiday season, fostering a spirit of giving and community involvement among its students.
Foothill College’s Physics Show Community Outreach
Foothill College’s Physics Show has served nearly a quarter of a million attendees in the two decades that have followed. This demo show features both performances for the public and field trips for students from local Title 1 schools. The college’s students play an important role, acting as both on-stage talent, leading tours of the college, and helping build equipment. From a small beginning, it now hosts over twenty-five thousand attendees a year, and is an important part of the college’s outreach efforts.
San Diego Men’s Chorus’s Youth & Arts Program
The San Diego Men’s Chorus initiated a “Youth & Arts” program in Fall 2007, hosting San Diego County high school students for free music workshops and a preview of its holiday concert, with the assistance of major contributor Qualcomm. The workshops were presented in conjunction with Westwind Brass.
San Diego Cooperative Charter School’s Community Involvement
San Diego Cooperative Charter School encourages community involvement through various activities, including attending and volunteering at school-wide events such as Project Nights, Specials Night, Ballroom Dance showcases, and the Pride Parade. Additional major PSA fundraising events include off-campus Spirit Nights, Rummage Sale, Book Fairs, and Movie Nights.
Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego’s Inclusive Events
The Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego hosts inclusive events, such as the All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair, combining efforts with many local organizations to help families find needed resources and create wonderful family memories through play and inclusion. These events are free and open to the public.
Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos
Christmas Card Lane is a holiday light display in the Rancho Penasquitos community of San Diego. Residents erect giant plywood greetings in their front yards depicting cartoon characters, religious images, or Christmas themes, creating a festive atmosphere for the community.
Del Mar Highlands Town Center’s Christmas Giving Back Night
On December 10, 2025, Del Mar Highlands Town Center is hosting its Christmas Giving Back Night, featuring a visit from Santa, hot chocolate, seasonal treats, art and dance performances from local students, and more. The event also includes check presentations of over $20,000 donated to 17 San Diego schools and the San Diego Fire and Police Departments.
STAR/PAL’s ‘Shop With A Cop’ Event
STAR/PAL participates in the annual ‘Shop With A Cop’ event in December, selecting 300 youth participants from schools throughout the county. Underserved youth are partnered with law enforcement officers and treated to breakfast, a private animal show at SeaWorld, and a $100 shopping trip at Target. More than 300 law enforcement officers participate, representing nearly 30 different agencies in San Diego County.
ElderHelp of San Diego’s Holiday Angels Program
ElderHelp of San Diego’s Holiday Angels program delivers holiday cheer to hundreds of local seniors each year. Volunteers deliver warm wishes along with a festive plant, a $25 gift card, and a handmade greeting card to each senior, and pet owners even receive a little something for their furry friends. This outreach brightens spirits during a season when many older adults may feel especially alone.
Conclusion
The holiday season in San Diego showcases remarkable community spirit, with numerous schools and organizations working tirelessly to support local families and individuals in need. From toy drives at local high schools to inclusive events promoting participation and joy, these initiatives strengthen community ties and highlight the resilience of San Diego’s citizens. Readers are encouraged to engage in similar charitable activities and support local efforts, ensuring that the spirit of giving continues to flourish in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of San Diego High School’s ‘Toys for a Cause’ event?
The event encourages community members to bring new, unwrapped toys and participate in various activities, aiming to ensure children in the community receive gifts during the holidays.
Who organized the 5th Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Toy Drive?
The event was organized by Black Tech Link and the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals in partnership with the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.
What type of support does the San Diego Women’s Foundation Holiday Party provide?
The event supports ElderHelp of San Diego’s Holiday Angels program, which delivers holiday cheer to seniors by providing festive plants, gift cards, and handmade greeting cards.
How many students benefit from Operation School Bell® by Assistance League?
Last year, over 8,000 students benefited from the program, which provides new clothing and shoes to students in need across San Diego County.
What is the aim of the YMCA of San Diego County’s Teen Holiday Giveback?
The event aims to provide gifts to over 200 youth between the ages of 12 and 17, addressing the lack of meaningful, age-appropriate gifts for teens at traditional holiday events.
What is the All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair?
This free event hosted by the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego combines efforts with local organizations to help families find needed resources and create memories through play and inclusion.
Key Features of Community Support Initiatives
| Event/Program | Date | Purpose | Target Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toys for a Cause | December 3, 2025 | Collect toys for children | Community children |
| 5th Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Toy Drive | December 8, 2025 | Collect toys and support youth | Community youth and families |
| Holiday Party with a Purpose 2025 | December 11, 2025 | Support seniors | Local seniors |
| Operation School Bell® | N/A | Provide clothing and shoes | Students in need |
| Teen Holiday Giveback | N/A | Provide gifts to teens | Teens aged 12-17 |
| All-Inclusive Day of Play & Resource Fair | N/A | Support families with special needs | Families of children with special needs |
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