Just when the local non-profit organization Love Thy Neighbor feared they ran out of toys during an annual toy distribution prior to the pandemic for the children Colonia Promo Tapia in Rosarito, volunteers found a large bag overflowing with just enough.
“We’ve seen miracles,” Love Thy Neighbor founder Ruben Torres said. "Somehow every time we do a toy give away, we get just enough toys.”
Every year, the local community-based nonprofit organization Love Thy Neighbor (LTN) holds an annual toy drive serving children and families in need throughout the South Bay and in Tijuana. The non-profit garnered support for their 12th annual toy drive on Dec.4 through local businesses, faith-based organizations and community partners.
Toy drop-off locations are located all throughout the South Bay hosted by local supporting partners with the goal of collecting as many toys as possible for children in need. According to Torres, the organization estimates to cater approximately 2,000 families through their toy drive.
“Even if it’s just 10 toys that we have right now. I'm happy because we will make those kids happy. It means a lot to me. We are both from the South Bay and we all went to school together. It means that much more,” Love Thy Neighbor Movement Aracely Villa said.
It all began with a simple act of kindness by community members who wanted to give a helping hand to people in need during the holiday season. In the very start of LTN, Villa reached out to the organization when she was in need and received a Christmas tree.
“I’ve been with them when I was in need and needed help. My heart just opened up, and I've been following them. Now, Im a big part of Love Thy Neighbor. I'm hooked on it. It fulfills my heart and soul just to help people,” Villa said.
In it’s 12 years of operation, the nonprofit has catered to several thousand families during annual toy distributions. According to Torres, the group downsized this year’s festivities due to financial concerns, but community partnerships further their outreach.
“This year we hope that even if we get a 100 toys that we will be good. As long as we are able to bless some kids,” Torres said.
Level-Up Pro Wrestling in La Mesa held a live wrestling event in partnership with LTN later that evening to further drive community toy donations. The Rock Church held a motorcycle ride and made toy donations and a donation of two laptops at Love Thy Neighbors headquarters at 494 E Street, Chula Vista.
In the past, LTN has hosted large concerts with bands, vendors, and collaborated with celebrities from South Bay neighborhoods such as Ray Mysterio, Santana’s singer Andy Vargas and the American Christian metal band Payable on Death. In the past couple of years, LTY has partnered with the San Ysidro School District’s Student & Family Service Manager Veronica Medina in identifying 50 families in need for a hot meal. Every year, El Pollo Loco partners to provide hot meals for this initiative and the San Diego Police department supported LTN last year in serving identified families.
With social isolation and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, toy acquisition and distributions became increasingly difficult as a community-based organization. According to Torres, it is more difficult to work with families within school districts during the pandemic, though it’s been easier in Tijuana although they hold certian guidelines. “It’s been tough all the way around,” he said.
“I was born in Tijuana. Coming up with Love Thy Neighbor, yes it’s scripture and it’s the words of Jesus, but I was just thinking let’s bless our neighbors in Tijuana, our neighbors to the south. Let’s love thy neighbors. I see myself in these kids. I would've been one of these kids receiving toys from some group that comes down from San Diego. That means a lot. I think it’s a big deal, but even in San Diego I think it gives hope. I think it means a something a little different to everyone,” Torres said.
LTN is currently expanding it's scope of outreach by launching additional community programs, events, initiatives and platforms that will provide education, resources, tooling and the opportunities necessary to accelerate value for the underserved members of the community.
“We do a lot of things in San Ysidro, it just means so much to me. It fulfills my heart and soul just to help people. Helping the youth, even when there is just one kid in our class, that is one kid that we can guide in the right direction or whatever it is that we can do. I just love helping people in whichever way,” Villa said.
Diamond Jims will host a Love Thy Neighbor “Thank You Party” and toy drive to further support the organization with the goal of collecting 1,000 toys on Dec.11 from 7 P.M- 12:30 A.M.
