Toys for Children in Delman Heights, San Bernardino
The Children’s Foundation of America partnered with the Benjamin E. Jones Community Resource Center in Delman Heights, a neighborhood in San Bernardino CA, to ensure children of the community receive gifts this Christmas.
“We were able to give three toys to every child they had planned to give gifts to,” said Children’s Foundation of America Executive Director Cher Ofstedahl.
According to the organization’s website, the median household income is $38,808 in the community they serve and is above the national average for crime. One of the biggest challenges in their community is education with 59 percent of residents 18 and over graduating from high school and only four percent of the population completing a bachelor’s degree or higher. To enhance the quality of life in their local area, the community center offers family services, prevention of homelessness programs, educational programs and job placement services.
The “Sweet Little Angels” gift giveaway at the Benjamin E. Jones Community Resource Center helps make a merry Christmas for the children of Delman Heights, who may not otherwise get the opportunity to receive brand new toys, which bring such joy, not only to these “Little Angels,” but also to their families, who may not be able to provide such opportunities.
Benjamin Edward Jones, the namesake of the Delman Heights community center, was the Pastor of Zion Elect Church of God in Christ in San Bernardino in the 1960s. He would walk up and down the street and pray for the community and its leaders. Benjamin E. Jones was greatly involved in many activities in the community including a 12-step drug and alcohol program for community residents, social services organizations, was a member of the police clergy, and spent much of his time feeding the hungry and providing Christmas toys for the less fortunate.
His ministry continues today at the community resource center under the direction of Pastor Paul Jones. Pastor Jones expressed his gratitude to the Children’s Foundation of America and to all who donated toys to the Foundation to support disadvantaged children, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
The Children’s Foundation of America is proud to continue a partnership with this organization and is currently making plans to supply the center with additional needs.