Press release:

November 13, 2012

Dear Generous Gift Giver,

The RYSE Youth Center is excited to partner with the Office of Supervisor John Gioia in hosting a Holiday Toy Drive for students at Verde Elementary (5 to 14 years) in North Richmond and children (newborn to 14 years old) attending RYSE’s Winter Wonderland event on Saturday, December 8 from 2-5pm.

To ensure that every child receives a brand new toy this holiday season, we are asking for your support by making a toy or monetary donation. If you wish to participate, we kindly request that all donated toys be new/unopened, unwrapped and a minimum $10.00 value. All financial contributions will be used to purchase additional toys for the event. The drop off center* for toy and monetary donations will be held at the RYSE Youth Center located at:

205 41st  Street Richmond, CA 94805

Please note:

checks can be made payable to the “RYSE Youth Center”.

For online contributions, please go to:

http://www.rysecenter.org/support-ryse/

and, when processing payment, please include “Toy Drive” in PO Number box.

*The RYSE Center will be accepting toys until Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:00pm.

RYSE’s Winter Wonderland event will be at no cost to those who wish to attend. The event will be held in celebration of our grand opening of RYSE OUTSYDE; a safe outdoor space built for our youth members to participate in a variety of performing arts and health and wellness activities including dancing, music performances, visual arts, sports, exercise and gardening. The program will include a toy give-away food, music, arts and crafts, tree decorating, snow machine, raffles, prizes and more!

For more information or questions, please contact Development Associate, Raquel

Toledo, at 510.374.3401; email

Raquel@rysecenter.org

We thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.

 Happy Holidays,

 Dan Reilly

Media, Arts, & Cutlure Director

RYSE Center