"When Oakland police Officer Stanley Mock died in a 2007 motorcycle accident, nowhere was the mourning deeper than the city's Chinatown, where he was beloved for befriending at-risk kids and running a toy drive every Christmas for Asian and Pacific Island children. His work didn't die with him, though, because Karen Chung refused to let it. My brother was a troubled teen, and Stan was always checking with us all the time and taking us out to eat,"
"She can't do it without our help, though, and every year the people of Oakland (and beyond) have come through. Once again, she's looking for books, toys, clothing and food for families in need, along with board games kids can play with their friends. The little ones love toy cars, she says. The older ones like soccer balls and basketballs. Please don't limit yourself to these suggestions."
"The drop-off place is the Lincoln Square Recreation Center at 261 11th St. in Oakland. Chung and her volunteers, many of whom were recipients themselves when they were little and didn't want to give up toy drive's fun when they grew up, will pick up the donations, wrap them and hand them out Dec. 20 to a whole lot of excited kids at a gala outdoor carnival in Chinatown featuring goodie bags and lots of cotton candy."
Officer Stanley Mock was beloved in Oakland's Chinatown for mentoring at-risk youth and running an annual Christmas toy drive. After his 2007 motorcycle death, Karen Chung sustained the drive as a memorial and mobilized community support. The drive solicits books, toys, clothing, food and board games for children of various ages. Donations drop off at Lincoln Square Recreation Center, 261 11th St., and volunteers—many former recipients—pick up, wrap and prepare the gifts. The items are distributed Dec. 20 at an outdoor Chinatown carnival with goodie bags and cotton candy, sustaining a community tradition of giving.
Read at www.eastbaytimes.com
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