This summer at the
San Diego County Fair
, carnival game prizes turned into acts of kindness as fairgoers donated 4,349 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 2009.
Program founder Nancy Stoke recalled watching a 4- or 5-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 most children do, he inspected the contents of the collection box and then announced ‘I want to donate!’” Stoke said. “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 said she quietly thanked the grandfather for raising such a generous child.
“Grandpa said 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 said.
“Sure enough, once Grandma’s arms were empty, he turned to Grandpa, pondered a moment as to what prize he wanted to keep, and then began tossing the others into the box,” she said. “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 joy 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 122,000 toys since its inception.
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2025 Care ‘n Share Toy Drive distribution by the numbers:
- 300 – Camp Stevens in Julian
- 317 – Chula Vista Eastlake Rotary Club projects
- 1,631 – Foundation for the Children of the Californias (Tijuana Children’s Hospital)
- 120 – La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club projects
- 20 – Like Our Own group homes
- 1,075 – San Diego Armed Services YMCA
- 836 – STEP – Support the Enlisted Project
- 50 – Voices for Children
Continued donations of new and gently used stuffed animals can be arranged through the program website:
carensharetoydrive.com
.
