While children throughout the Bay Area wait with excitement to find out what gifts are under the Christmas tree on Wednesday, a last-minute toy drive is underway to ensure that less fortunate youngsters receive gifts on Christmas Day, too.
The 13th annual Lefty O'Doul's "Last Chance" toy drive, which has become a staple in San Francisco, is happening today. A year ago, the one-day drive collected more than 10,000 toys. This year, event organizers are hoping to exceed that number.
Many San Francisco leaders — including Mayor Ed Lee, police Chief Greg Suhr and fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White — were on hand to help out this morning, and sang Christmas carols around a piano at the front of the restaurant.
"This is a great statement departmentally," with the police and fire departments working together, the Rev. Amos Brown said.
This event, which is in collaboration with the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program, is "bringing people together and epitomizes Christmas," Brown said.