San Bernardino nonprofit gives out hundreds of toys

Hundreds of San Bernardino students received free toys Saturday, Aug. 5, at an “Unplug and Play” giveaway hosted by Santa Claus Inc.

Some even rode out on new bikes.

With partners Good360 and Toys for Tots, Santa Claus Inc. welcomed scores of underprivileged children to its Sixth Street warehouse for a day of gift-giving.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies and San Bernardino police officers served as masters of ceremonies.

Eli Ferroburgette, 7, gives high fives to law enforcement cadets on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at the “Unplug and Play” event hosted by Santa Claus Inc. in San Bernardino. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Law enforcement cadets pass out stickers to children at Santa Claus Inc.’s “Unplug and Play” event on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in San Bernardino. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children carry their toys at the “Unplug and Play” event hosted by Santa Claus Inc. on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in San Bernardino. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children pick out toys at Santa Claus Inc.’s “Unplug and Play” event in San Bernardino on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, where hundreds of underprivileged kids received new toys. The event was put together in partnership with Toys for Tots and Good360. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children pick out toys on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at Santa Claus Inc.’s “Unplug and Play” event in San Bernardino. The event was put on in partnership with Good360 and Toys for Tots and other similar events are planned elsewhere in the Inland Empire. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children hold their new toys on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at Santa Claus Inc.’s “Unplug and Play” event in San Bernardino. Hundreds of children received toys on Saturday, and other similar events organized by the same partners, Good360, Toys for Tots, and Santa Claus Inc., are planned for elsewhere in the Inland Empire. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Children, accompanied by their parents, eagerly pick out toys on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at Santa Claus Inc.’s “Unplug and Play” event in San Bernardino. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Such collaborative efforts “are the most important and effective way to reach as many kids living in difficult situation in the Inland Empire as we possibly can,” Karen DiCarlo, Santa Claus Inc. executive director, wrote in an email.

Similar events organized by the same partners are planned for Fontana Unified School District, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Riverside County Office of Education.

By working with those organizations, DiCarlo wrote, “Santa Claus Inc. is able to reach not only local school districts, but also the outermost areas in both counties to help where kids are often forgotten.”

Additional partners Saturday included Machado Family Services, A Greater Hope and Kings Warriors.

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