By Sara Beth Williams–
A local nonprofit has returned again for 2025 to help collect toys for children of military personnel.
Toys for the Troops’ Kids kicked off its 24th annual toy drive on Saturday, Dec. 12 in Citrus Heights, collecting new, unwrapped toys in the parking lot between Sprouts and Panera Bread. The collection drive will extend through Dec. 21.
The toy drive, run by former Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels, is continuing on, though Daniels and his family have moved out of state. Daniels said the toy drive will continue as long as there are families with kids in need. Last Christmas, the toy drive delivered between 1,500 to 2,000 toys to military families, which was below average.
Daniels said Saturday that the need is greater when troops are deployed, and that with the U.S. engaged in less military conflicts in the last several years, the request for assistance from Toys for the Troops’ kids lessens.
Daniels said the nonprofit will give out as many toys as they can to military families in need.
Daniels’ wife, Nikki, said her husband, who is an Air Force veteran, launched the toy drive with several of his veteran friends 23 years ago, and she joined to help over 15 years ago. Their adult son, who is a Marine, is also helping with the toy drive, Daniels confirmed.
Annually, different military units across the state host Christmas parties for families of veterans, and gifts are wrapped and distributed by each specific military unit.
Though the family lives out of state, Daniels returned to visit family and friends and volunteer at the collection site this weekend.
The nonprofit is now working with Lt. Colonel Tom Weaver of the California National Guard, Daniels said.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys of any size can be dropped off in the Citrus Town Center parking lot at the northeast corner of Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard inbetween Panera Bread and Sprouts. The collection site for the toy drive is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but finding volunteers to help at the donation site can be a struggle, Daniels said.
To volunteer or find out updates about the Toys for the Troops’ Kids, visit the group’s Facebook page here. The Citrus Town Center is located at 7925 Greenback Ln.
