Imperial Court San Diego's Toys for Kids Annual Drive

Since 1974, the Imperial Court de San Diego's Toys for Kids Annual Drive has been providing joy for children in need. Throughout the years, the event has also expanded to include food for the hungry, as well as blankets for the homeless in San Diego and Mexico.

This year, the oldest LGBT toy drive has also partnered up with the GSDBA for a Holiday Open House and Toy and Blanket Drive event on Wednes December 7, which will be hosted at California Bank and Trust, 3737 5th Avenue in Hillcrest from 6 to 8 p.m..

The Rage Monthly spoke with Toys for Kids founder, City Commissioner Nicole Murray- Ramirez, about the genesis of the annual toy drive, the expansions it has seen over its 42-year history and what we can learn from the event as a community.

"In 1974, I was the Empress of San Diego and the Emperor and I wanted to do a community toy drive for Toys for Tots, for the Marines annual event,"
Murray-Ramirez explained about the start of the drive. "At that time, there were about four or five gay bars and we got all of them to participate and
we raised all kinds of money that bought toys. Then we called the Marines to come pick them up and the Marines said they would not accept toys from homosexuals.

"You have to remember, it wasn't until a year or two later that homosexuality was legalized," he said. "I was so stunned, but I had to think fast. So, I called probably a dozen non-profits and more than half gave us the same response. Barrio Station and Hillcrest Receiving Home for Battered Children and a couple of others, accepted our toys. Then, we announced that we were going to have an annual Toys For Kids Drive and would search out these agencies that needed toys and have been doing that ever since."

As community members rallied year after year, for this true example of the giving spirit of the holidays, it became clear there were other ways to expand on the helping aspect. "Years later, The Center and Family Matters introduced us to children of gay and lesbian parents, who couldn't afford to buy toys at Christmas," Ramirez stated. "Once we started learning about these families through Family Matters at The Center, we realized, 'Why are we dropping off toys? They can't eat the toys!' A lot of these people were living below the poverty line; so we not only gave them toys, we give them grocery certificates. Our community is one of the most giving communities."

Eventually, the expansion incorporated blankets for the homeless of San Diego and those at risk in Mexico. "It's important to note that we do a blanket drive during the same time," Murray-Ramirez said. "Every year, half an hour away in Tijuana, seniors and little babies die just from the cold. And, years ago when we read about this, Empress Ophelia said, 'We also have people here that need blankets.' So now we do the blanket drive, which not only goes to Tijuana, but also with veterans and homeless in San Diego."

Murray-Ramirez is very appreciative that the event has multiplied its initial intent and that it continues to benefit those in need and for those who assist in this endeavor. "I've got to give a shout out to the GSDBA, to Big Mike and the sports league, who every year just come through and help us and certain businesses always come through. This year, we are appreciative of California Bank and Trust for having the event there. The bars will have donation drop offs, too. The Marines have changed, now they even send Marines out to the event."

Murray-Ramirez summed up what the event means to him on a personal level. "I always say if a community doesn't know where they came from, they don't know where they're going."

For more information about the Imperial Court de San Diego's Toys for Kids Annual Drive, log onto imperial-courtsandiego.com, or go to gsdba.org