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Single mother says Orange County mayor’s toy drive gave her family hope and prompted her to donate
Summary
A single mother, identified only as Britney in public comment, described how Orange County’s mayoral toy drive and local family services helped her daughters and motivated her to give back; a county staffer outlined services and said the toy drive has run 15 years.
Britney, a single mother who moved to Orange County about three years ago, told a public meeting that the county’s mayoral toy drive gave her children their first memorable Christmas and inspired her to start donating to others.
She described juggling long work hours and the emotional strain of providing as a single parent, saying she works “24/7.” Recounting the toy drive, Britney said she was “in shock” when she and her daughters entered the event and that meeting the mayor — who she said sat down and asked about her family — was a meaningful moment for them. “The first thing that my oldest daughter did was she hugged me, and she’s like, ‘thank you for always giving me a Christmas,’” Britney said.
The comment followed a brief presentation by a Community and Family Services representative, who described the county’s neighborhood centers and programs — including a citizens commission for children and Community Action to Head Start — as a “bridge from families coming in crisis moving to stability.” The speaker said the mayor’s toy drive is a 15-year initiative that mobilizes Orange County staff to donate toys to families in need and closed with the agency slogan: “Where joy lives, hope grows, and help happens.”
Britney said the experience changed how she saw giving: after receiving support through the toy drive, she said she now donates when she can because she remembers the relief and joy it brought her family. The session did not record any formal action or vote related to the programs; comments were part of the public-comment portion of the meeting.
No formal proposals, motions, or funding decisions were recorded in the transcript provided. The comments highlight the role of county-supported family services and community-led charitable efforts in supporting lower-income households.
