Making Christmas toys for the homeless and ministering to the local community…

 Hello there and thanks for your interest in our efforts. Some of you already know what it is and why we do it because you have been with us for some time. For those who are new, my name is Trey Haight (once dubbed the "California Santa" by the San Jose Mercury News). With the help and support of my wife Debbie and others we started this project never knowing what it would turn into.

Koinonia is a term used to describe fellowship. Not just fellowship in terms of "getting together". No, it's more uniting than that. The bible translates it as:

All these things make up what we are doing with this project. All involved learn a great sense of Koinonia.

This is how it all started...

In 1998 Debbie & I decided to try to make a difference in our community.  We wanted to see if people would come out of their houses and get involved in something bigger than themselves.  We wanted to be an example to our children (son, 10 years old, daughter, 8 years old at that time).  Therefore the Christmas toy project was born.  From the very beginning, the homeless of San Jose has been the focus of our effort.

 We started with making airplanes, jewelry boxes & pull-fish, 120 toys in all.  We started cutting materials (with the help of some close friends) and began kitting the materials into ready to assemble projects.  As the materials came together, we began to set up work centers on the lawn under flea-market style tents and invite the general public to come help.  We had cub scouts, friends, family, church members, professional contacts (vendors and customers) anybody that would spend some time with us.  This was the year the Mercury News came out and did a story in which the name “California Santa” was bestowed.  I guess this was due to the In-N-Out™ tee-shirt and shorts that constituted my attire.

 Well it has been 8 years now.  We are partnering with many different local businesses in the area to supply materials, financial support, services etc. The efforts are larger, the toys are growing in quantity, and the support and resources are better. We now produce an average of 250-300 toys per year. Toys for boys and girls of varying ages. God has made a way each year for the project to be a success.  I never know the direction or the source of the years support, but each year He has never let me down.  I just have to be obedient, He always comes through!

These points are what's most important to us: