Jesiah Grisalva, 8, of San Rafael rides her new Disney Princess bike ahead of her family as the kids all head home with Christmas presents at Big God Ministries' annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Pastor David Hall of Big God Ministries says his group is handing out nearly 300 bikes this year as well as toys, warm jackets and other things.(Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Pastor David Hall of Big God Ministries gives volunteer Roman Birchell, 8, of San Rafael a high five for helping out during Big God Ministries' annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Bikes, toys and warm jackets were among the Christmas presents handed out. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Pastor David Hall of Big God Ministries talks to the crowd during Big God Ministries' annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
A child picks out a toy during Big God Ministries' annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Suma DeLeon, 4, of San Rafael, poses for a photo with her new doll during Big God Ministries' annual annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Volunteer Nicole Birchell of San Rafael sets out toys to be given away during Big God Ministries' annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2023. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Volunteer Tom Cooney of San Rosa chats with people in line before the start of Big God Ministries' annual toy give away at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael, Calif. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Bikes, toys and warm jackets were among the Christmas presents handed out. (Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal)
Pastor David Hall of Big God Ministries distributed hundreds of toys to help needy children celebrate Christmas.
The giveaway was held at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood on Tuesday. The Mill Valley church, which handed out gifts in Marin City on Monday, had on hand more than 1,500 toys, including 100 bikes, to give away to children.
Fueled by community donations, the annual event has been a staple of both communities for the last two decades.
“I love seeing the kids’ faces when they pick out a new toy,” said the pastor’s wife, Denise Hall. “It’s really joyful.
“He especially likes the toy drive,” she said of her husband, who hails from Marin City. “He never had a bike growing up, or many toys.”
Mill Valley resident Jean Mastagni, an event volunteer, said the giveaway is always a happy and heart-warming event.
“It’s always joyous and in the spirit of giving,” Mastagni said. “My favorite thing is the love that passes between people. We’re always happier when we’re sharing.”
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