County fairgoers donate 4,349 stuffed animals to children in U.S., Mexico

Toys were distributed through the Chula Vista Eastlake Rotary Club projects Photo courtesy of the nd District Agricultural Association This summer at the San Diego County Fair carnival match prizes turned into acts of kindness as fairgoers donated stuffed animals to the Care n Share Toy Drive The toys dropped off at exit gate donation boxes have since been distributed to children across San Diego and Tijuana continuing a tradition that began in Venture founder Nancy Stoke recalled watching a - or -year-old boy approach one of the donation boxes with his grandparents all three carrying armfuls of stuffed animal prizes they had won playing carnival games As majority of children do he inspected the contents of the collection box and then broadcasted I want to donate Stoke explained He began to purposefully toss in each of the prizes he was carrying and then turned to Grandma and started tossing in what she was holding Stoke declared she quietly thanked the grandfather for raising such a generous child Grandpa stated that it was all the child s doing it was the third day they had come to the fair and each day the boy won prizes and then chose to keep one for himself and donate the rest she explained Sure enough once Grandma s arms were empty he turned to Grandpa pondered a moment as to what prize he desired to keep and then began tossing the others into the box she announced Those of us volunteering who were lucky enough to see this happening were cheering and clapping loudly as each donation was tossed in Departing fair guests stopped to watch and cheer soon the evening air was filled with gratification at the generosity of this young child It was a beautiful experience for everyone We all had goosebumps and enjoyed his giving as much as he did and I m sure equally as much as the recipient children will enjoy his generosity Organized by the Torrey Pines Rotary Club in partnership with the fair the drive has distributed more than toys since its inception Care n Share Toy Drive distribution by the numbers Camp Stevens in Julian Chula Vista Eastlake Rotary Club projects Foundation for the Children of the Californias Tijuana Children s Hospital La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club projects Like Our Own group homes San Diego Armed Services YMCA STEP Patronage the Enlisted Project Voices for Children Continued donations of new and gently used stuffed animals can be arranged through the operation website carensharetoydrive com