10-year-old Vallejo boy holds fourth annual toy drive, plans to send to Camp Fire victims
VALLEJO, Calif. (KTVU) - A 10-year-old from Vallejo likes Christmas toys, but he also knows that other kids will not be as lucky come Christmas morning. So he decided to do something about it.
Mesai Alonsabe launched “Mesai’s Merry Toy Drive” four years ago. Last year it was at a fire station and the year before it was at his house. This year, it was at Java Jax in Vallejo, where Mesai and his mother Michelle Davis were joined by the Vallejo Fire Department, a local radio host and more.
This year Mesai set out to gather as many toys as possible for children impacted by the Camp Fire, which displaced thousands of Butte County residents and all but leveled the town of Paradise.
If you were unable to make the toy drive on Saturday that went from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mesai and his mother set up bins at several locations, per Times Herald Online: A Man & His Hat, 505 Georgia St.; Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Suzanne Clift, 21 Rotary Way; Moments Shared, 320 Georgia St.; Tess Shoes for Less, 3555 Sonoma Bld.; and Quickly, 145 Plaza Dr.
Mesai decided to start the toy drive after observing the issue of Bay Area homelessness made evident in numerous cities, including his hometown. He told the Times Herald that Santa doesn’t always know where to go, while smiling, and since he could tangibly see people in need, he started the toy drive that’s supported by Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan.
Last year, Mesai was able to deliver toys to kids impacted by the North Bay wildfires that devastated the area in October. He said “a million” toys were collected last year. But, according to mom, 100 sounds like a more realistic estimate.