San Jose Foos’ fairgrounds toy drive gets a boost from mayor’s office

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s office is putting its holiday spirit behind the fourth annual San Jose Toy Drive, an effort that’s grown exponentially in a short time and aims to distribute more than 30,000 toys to families at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds next weekend.

That’s right. Even the mayor of the biggest city in San Jose has been drawn into the orbit of San Jose Foos, the megapopular social media account and civic influencer that has been part of the toy drive since 2021.

“San Jose Foos is a social media phenomenon,” said Mahan, who recorded an Instagram video with San Jose Foos founder Anthony Gomez in front of City Hall last month. “We’ve tried to work together and promote good causes in the city, and this is a great initiative I want to be supportive of.”

The effort could still use more toys before the distribution to about 10,000 pre-registered families next weekend. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off in person at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds or donors can contribute cash or buy something directly from the San Jose Toy Drive’s Amazon wish list. Go to www.sanjosetoydrive.com to find out more.

The San Jose Toy Drive started out pretty small as a collaboration among businesses in Japantown but got very big in a short time. Sacred Heart Community Service is also partnering on the effort this year, along with the Fairgrounds, which is donating the use of its space for the toy distribution for a second year.

Salene Duarte, co-interim executive director of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Management Corp., said she’s excited about the partnership with Sacred Heart and San Jose Foos.

“It’s heartwarming to see our community come together through the efforts of these incredible influencers and organizations,” she said. “By providing our facilities at no charge, we reaffirm our commitment to connecting essential resources with those in need — a small gesture that can create lasting joy.”

ALL ABOARD: Caltrain’s festive Holiday Train will return to bring joy along the Peninsula and South Bay this weekend. Decorated with more than 70,000 lights, the Holiday Train will make stops at nine stations from San Francisco to Santa Clara on Saturday and Sunday, making a 20-minute stop at each one where visitors can hear onboard carolers and the Salvation Army Christmas Brass Ensemble. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, too, to greet kids and pose for photos.

Visitors are of course encouraged to bring a new toy or book to donate to the Salvation Army and the U.S Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, and there will be donation bins at each station. The train will leave San Francisco each day at 4 p.m., stopping in San Mateo, Redwood City, Mountain View and Santa Clara on Saturday and Millbrae, Burlingame, Menlo Park and Sunnyvale on Sunday. Go to www.caltrain.com/holidaytrain for the full schedule and other information.

BEAR NECESSITIES: Expect a stuffed animal spectacular Saturday at Tech CU Arena when the San Jose Barracuda host their annual Teddy Bear Toss game as they take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals to the game that will be tossed onto the ice after the Barracuda’s first goal. Just remember not to bring anything too precious — the stuffies will be collected and distributed to kids through Kaiser medical centers. The game starts at 6 p.m. and you can get tickets at sjbarracuda.com.

THE WRITE STUFF: Marine artist Jim Campbell is publishing his third book, “Hold Fast,” an illustrated history of sail with nearly 100 of his pen and ink drawings. He’ll have a book-signing celebration at an appropriate spot: Morgan’s Cove, the pirate-themed venue created by the late Rich Firato in Morgan Hill. It runs 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Campbell, 96, worked in distribution for the Mercury News for 47 years before retiring in the 1990s. His previous books have featured the New Almaden mines and historic places in San Jose. In 1977, he was commissioned to create lithographs of three San Jose icons for the city’s bicentennial, the Electric Light Tower, St. Joseph Cathedral and the Peralta Adobe.

ART AND ABOUT: Olga Enciso Smith’s spent the past half-century traveling and meeting artists and artisans, and South Bay gift seekers can enjoy the benefits Friday night as she hosts an exhibition and sale at Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas at Citadel Art Studios.

The items include handwoven wool shawls, hand-embroidered blouses, scarves, sterling silver earrings and cloth dolls, as well as watercolor and oil paintings from Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Southwestern states like Arizona and new Mexico. The sale runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at 199 Martha St. #199 in San Jose.

SEASON’S GREETINGS: Jim Barth, a longtime Los Gatos resident and immediate past president of the Los Gatos Lions Club, will serve as grand marshal in the town’s annual Holiday Parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday. He’ll be able to finally match his wife, Dru Barth, who served as grand marshal back in 1999.

And if you’ve got an “ugly” holiday sweater, you can bring it out to Campbell’s Carol of Lights celebration downtown on Saturday. The free event, sponsored by the Downtown Campbell Business Association, starts at 4 p.m. and is expected to include a petting zoo, donkey rides, crafts, facepainting, carolers and other community performances. Let’s hope the sea of ugly sweaters don’t scare the donkeys.