One of the biggest shopping weekends of the year is approaching, and local causes offer ample opportunity for Tucsonans to add the less fortunate to their lists.
Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse (https://emergecenter.org) is collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts to stock a free “store” in which 400 survivors of domestic violence can “shop” for immediate family members. The event allows mothers or fathers who are participants in Emerge programs to choose free gifts for their children and children to choose gifts for their siblings and/or parent — holiday preparations that participants would otherwise be unable to afford, according to Ed Sakwa, CEO of Emerge.
The wish list includes toys for all ages as well as household items such as cutlery, dishes, crock pots and other items necessary for setting up a new home. There is particular need for items for teens and pre-teens, such as backpacks, earbuds/headphones and electronics, bath sets, sports equipment and more. Items for boys are especially requested.
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“We focused on donation of gift cards for several years due to the pandemic, but we are steering away from that and trying to shift back to providing clients with the opportunity to walk away with physical objects. When a mom or a kid opens a gift card, it is not the same experience as receiving an item chosen for them by a loved one,” Sakwa said.
Sakwa said that the Holiday House has become an important factor in creating new traditions for families that have been disrupted due to domestic violence.
“The holidays are a particularly difficult time for these children and families. They may be going through the scariest time in their lives and thinking about the danger they are in and focused on the way their daily lives have been turned upside down and this kind of normalcy helps to regulate and stabilize a moment of chaos in their lives,” Sakwa said.
He said that the need for services remains constant for those experiencing domestic violence. Emerge provides emergency shelter and transitional housing — as well as emotional support, and outreach and education about domestic violence prevention — to nearly 6,000 people annually. It also fields up to 8,000 calls each year to the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 520-795-4266 or 1-888-428-0101.
In addition to limited shelter and transitional housing for those most at risk for those being injured or killed, Mercurio-Sakwa emphasized that Emerge also works with people who are not looking to leave their partner but are simply trying to feel safer in their relationship.
“We often hear people say, ‘I hope there can be something different,’ whether they are staying with a partner or not. We want them to know they can be in safer and healthier relationships and we want to help with that,” he said.
The Annual Christina-Taylor Green Memorial Holiday Toy Drive offers additional opportunities to provide gifts for those who may not be home for the holidays.
All new, unwrapped toys, books and gift cards donated will benefit children hospitalized at Banner-Diamond Children’s Medical Center and their families. Donations can be dropped at Northwest YMCA Northwest YMCA, 7770 N. Shannon Road; beginning on Friday, Nov. 24, they will be accepted at Buckelew Farm Christmas Tree Lots citywide. To add to the festivities, the Buckelew and Owen families will spearhead a bake sale from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Buckelew Christmas Tree Lot at 2225 W. Ina Road.
“We have been doing this toy drive for 13 years and are so happy to deliver the toys to Diamond Children’s, which is where Christina passed away. We know she is looking down from heaven and it makes her happy,” said Roxanna Green, Christina-Taylor’s mother.
Green and her family use donated gift cards to buy toys and gifts, filling in gaps so there are gifts for kids of all ages.
“Some drives request toys for younger kids, but we request gifts for newborn to 18. We feel like teens should also get gifts for whatever holiday they celebrate,” said Green.
She said the goal is to collect enough toys to provide gifts to siblings of hospitalized children as well. Delivery of the gifts has become an important tradition for her family, which has always made charitable giving and volunteerism a priority.
“The staff is so appreciative. When we deliver the gifts, they have tears in their eyes and tells us how it means so much to the children and families. People still remember Christina and how she was so giving. She was an old soul — beyond her years — and this helps keep her memory alive,” said Green.
