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Toys From Santa Bring Cheer to Unhoused Fresno Kids

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Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria (right) hands toys to kids as Santa watches. (GV Wire/David Taub)
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A visit with Santa, toys, hot chocolate, and cookies made for a special day for an estimated 300 children.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria and State Center trustee Annalisa Perea distributed toys and food at the San Joaquin Estates in west Fresno to 64 families on Tuesday.

Other related events, meanwhile, provided toys and food for 170 more children on Tuesday.

“We want you to know that Fresno loves you,” Soria told the families gathered at San Joaquin Estates to meet jolly old St. Nick.

Christmas for Unhoused Children

Soria said the event delivered Christmas cheer for those in community without a home of their own.

“This year we picked unhoused kids and kids that haven’t had the opportunity to be blessed through either Toys for Tots or other holiday giving,” Soria said.

The Jane Addams Community Development Corporation also pitched in.

“For me, the Christmas season is the season of giving and getting together with family, and that’s what we want to give these families. We want to give them the opportunity to feel like they can also celebrate, even though their circumstances may limit them financially,” Soria said.

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email