At Cypress Self Storage (Oakley's newest self storage facility currently under construction), we truly love giving back to our local community. This has been a core value of our parent company, Smart Self Storage, ever since our inception. (In fact, we have been Supporting Toys For Tots at Smart Self Storage For Almost 20 Years. And, our Los Angeles Self Storage facility is A Supporter of Animal Rescue Media Education.) Here are just a few local organizations that provide help to those who may need a little lift this holiday season:

Brentwood Regional Community Chest

The Brentwood Regional Community Chest was founded by Rose Pierce over 50 years ago as the Delta East Coalition, which collected money and food for needy families throughout the county. The program is now the Brentwood Regional Community Chest. Over 500 families from Brentwood, Byron, Knightsen, Discovery Bay, and Bethel Island are presented with a full holiday dinner, canned goods, and age-appropriate presents for their children.

Starting the second week in November, barrels and bins will be located throughout Far East County for donations of nonperishable food and new toys. On Friday, December 14, 2018, from 4:00 - 9:00 P.M., food boxes will be packed in the Brentwood Elementary Cafeteria, 200 Griffith Lane. Food and toys will be distributed to families on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 7:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Volunteers are needed for both days.

For more information, go to www.brcchest.org/index/Brentwood_Regional_Community_Chest/Welcome.html

Shepherd's Gate

If you have women and children's clothing that you'd like to donate, while you can give them to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul, or another similar facility, also consider Shepherd's Gate.

Shepherd's Gate is a Christian nonprofit on a mission to free women and children from the destructive cycles of homelessness, addiction and abuse. Their dedicated staff make it possible to offer short-term, long-term and transitional programs that are tailored to each individual woman and child who come through their doors.

For more information, go to https://www.shepherdsgate.org/

Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child

If your kids have a case of the gimmes, as kids often do during the holidays, you can use Samaritan's Purse project to teach them about giving to others. From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to help children in need around the world. Drop the shoeboxes at Golden Hills Community Church, 2401 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood, by November 18.

For information about how to pack a shoebox and for more information, https://www.samaritanspurse.org

For volunteer opportunities, Golden Hills (E Building) will serve as a central drop off center for all of Contra Costa County this year and need a team of volunteers on November 11th - 18th. They need a couple people each day who would like to greet and welcome people. They also need a couple people a day who will help load and unload boxes. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together, especially on the weekend. Younger than 16 years of age must serve with a parent.

On the final Sunday & Monday (Nov 18th + 19th), they need some strong guys and gals who can help load the cases of shoeboxes into the trucks. The other churches in Contra Costa County will be bringing their cases to us. We will need to count and load them into trucks to be taken to Southern California.

Ready to Volunteer? Go to goldenhills.infellowship.com

Toys for Tots (A Cypress Self Storage Favorite)

At Smart Self Storage, the parent company behind Cypress Self Storage, we have been supporting Toys For Tots for nearly 20 years. Each year, we collect toys at our self storage facilities. (Once Cypress Self Storage is open for business, we plan on becoming a local collection spot.) Also, we have donated money too! In fact, here's a fun photo of our team in our corporate office presenting a check donation last holiday season, in 2017:

Look for donation bins and events around the area, including Sip N Shop at Hannah Nicole Vineyards on November 24th, 6700 Balfour Rd., Brentwood. Bring a new and unwrapped toy for the VFW's Toys For Tots drive and receive a free ticket for the raffle.

Brentwood on Ice (739 2nd St., across from Brentwood City Hall) will also be taking Toys for Tots donations from November 17th until December 10th.

If you would like boxes and posters for your business, the local Toys for Tots office is in Concord. For forms and more information, https://concord-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx

For information regarding this year's Toys for Tots season, if you have questions about becoming a toy drop site, if you need a toy request form for your non-profit organization, if you'd like to host an event, or if you'd like to become a volunteer, please send an email to: Concordt4t@usmc.mil There are so many ways to contribute to Toys For Tots, and we truly love this cause at Cypress Self Storage.

The Season of Giving

This holiday season, let's all come together as a community and help others. There is no greater gift than helping someone in need. And, let's all carry that giving spirit into 2019 and beyond. On behalf of Cypress Self Storage and our entire Smart Self Storage family, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!