HUNDREDS OF STOCKTON residents lined up around the block of Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy recently as children patiently waited for hours to collect Christmas presents.
Jason Lee, Founder of Hollywood Cares Foundation, and subscription streaming service Zeus Network hosted the “Toy for Joy: Christmas Toy Giveaway” on Saturday, providing thousands of toys to children ages 10 and younger.
Families also got to take photos with comedian and actor Tiffany Haddish, who dressed as Mrs. Claus at the toy giveaway from noon to 4 p.m.
Lee, who is a 2024 Stockton City Council candidate, created the foundation in 2022 to develop programs centered around youth leadership, civic engagement, and personal development.
Lee said he survived a shooting at age 15. “When I got shot, they drove me to my brother’s house, literally across the street from where we are today [for the event],” he said.
Volunteers dance to live DJ music during the “Toy for Joy” event at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Tone Rivera holds the hand of her daughter Evelyn Sandoval, 3, during a toy drive at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy in Stockton on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Lucina Zuniga, 6, picks up a toy of her choice during the “Toy for Joy” drive at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy in Stockton on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Families wait in line with their children to collect toys and meet Tiffany Haddish during the “Toy for Joy” event at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Tiffany Haddish, dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus, meets families during a toy drive at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A family takes a group photo with actor Tiffany Haddish, dressed as Mrs. Santa Claus, during the “Toy for Joy” event at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Children pick out toys during the “Toy for Joy” event at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Kelonnie Barfield, 9, gets a toy during the “Toy for Joy” giveaway at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy in Stockton on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Families line up to pick up toys inside the gym at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy during the “Toy for Joy” event on Dec. 23, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Maurkice Jackson-McCloud, 5, gets a free haircut during the “Toy for Joy” event at Aspire Stockton Secondary Academy on Dec. 23, 2023. In addition to Christmas gifts, event attendees also got free haircuts and take-home meals. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
“So, to be able to go from being a survivor of gun violence in this, this area of the city, to now being able to give back for families who are in need and to be running for city council in the district that I grew up in with my whole family here today is, it’s just … I got emotional earlier,” Lee added.
Alongside receiving toys, event attendees also got free haircuts and take-home meals.
Colethia Banks was one of the parents who waited over two hours in line with her children. “It is a big deal,” Banks said, explaining what such an event meant to her. “Some people can’t even afford to get something for their kids for Christmas, and this [event] is a blessing.”
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
