East County Column Dec. 11, 2008

It has been said that people only remember to give to those less fortunate than themselves during the holiday season, but Oakley residents have shown their true colors this past several months as they have stood united and helped two families that were in need after the most horrific experience of one lifetime.
Even during these hard economic times the families of Oakley came forward and raised money at several different fundraisers for the Nunn-Wilson children. There is yet another group working on a fundraiser in January.
Now that the holidays are here, there are several groups in Oakley who are asking for Oakley to continue that spirit of generosity. In the next couple of weeks groups all around the county will be asking for funds and canned food and toys for the needy. Two groups in particular in Oakley are hoping to collect enough food and toys for a collective 200 families. For several years the Oakley Delta Lions Club has collected food for approximately 75 families. Usually they learn about the needy families through the school districts.
Lions Club members work to collect the food at events and activities over a couple of months. Then they work to set up baskets for those whose names are on their list. For anyone interested in helping with their cause, they will be accepting donations at Gehringer School located at 100 Simoni Ranch Road on Dec. 18 and 19. For more information, Bill and Denise Arnold can be reached at 625-4874.
And while you are bringing along some canned food, you might want to look for old prescription eyeglasses and hearing aids to donate. The Lions Club works with a program that repairs these items and gets them to people who can’t afford them.
While you’re shopping around town you may notice some bins out from the Friends of Oakley. This is a new group who are working on some community projects. One of those projects is to create a community chest program like Brentwood has. A couple of weekends back they spent their Sunday afternoon signing up Oakley families that needed help getting enough food for the holidays. The group signed up 125 families in less than two hours.
They are looking for non-perishable products that can go to these families. They are also working in conjunction with the Delta Diablo Detachment 1155 Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program. Their hope is that every child will receive at least one toy this year.
Toys for Tots will also have bins at several locations throughout town, plus for those who like motorcycle shows they will be at Freedom High School this weekend with their third annual Motorcycle Stunt Show Toy Drive.
The event will go on, rain or shine, Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will offer music, drawings and the stunt show. The Pittsburg Chapter of the Street Bike Freaks will provide the stunts. The organizers are asking that everyone bring a new unwrapped toy. There is no admission fee. Information about where to donate a toy can be found at www.cctoydrive.org.
There will be lots of groups asking for your money this year. Keep the tradition alive of Oakley residents helping Oakley residents and think about giving to these groups first.