The following is text of a news release from the San Francisco Bar Pilots:
(SAN FRANCISCO) — The San Francisco Bar Pilots held their 20th annual toy drive at their Pier 9 offices last week. Hundreds of friends, colleagues, family, and industry partners gathered on the water to share food, drink, and good cheer; the only price of admission was a toy for the kids and good spirits. The holiday drive for contributed bikes, toys and cash brought in $12,600.
Over the past two decades, the Bar Pilots have made the holiday toy drive a highlight of their charitable endeavors, scaling their end-of-the-year effort from five bikes in 1998 when the tradition began, to over 100 in 2018. Along the way, the San Francisco Bar Pilots have helped create special holiday memories for thousands of San Francisco children.
The Bar Pilots partner with the San Francisco Fire Department, and each year welcome firefighters to pick up the toys to add to the department’s holiday push.
“The San Francisco Bar Pilots are proud to continue our partnership with the SFFD toy drive program," said Capt. Joe Long, president and port agent for the San Francisco Bar Pilots. "Everyone can make a difference in a child’s life, and this is a great opportunity to help ensure that all of our city’s children have a happy holiday."
