Font ResizeEver since he could remember, Jake Sola has always helped to reach out to those in need any time of the year.
He grew up helping his grandparents in Concord deliver food, clothes, toys and household supplies to organizations such as the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, the Salvation Army and Loaves and Fishes.
This year, 13-year-old Jake wanted to lead a campaign to help needy children in time for Christmas through the Toys for Tots program.
Jake said he's spreading the word that the U.S. Marines will be at the Concord United Methodist Church from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5, during a visit with Santa Claus, to pick up the toys. People can donate new items on or before Dec. 5.
Jake said that while he liked helping out his grandparents, he thought of taking up a charitable cause on his own because he wanted to reach out to kids his age in the hopes that he may influence them to spread the word about Toys for Tots and donate some new toys themselves.
He's been taking his cause on the road with him as he plays with a traveling youth baseball team across Northern California. He talks to fellow players and coaches as well as to his fellow students at Twelve Bridges Middle School in Lincoln where he's an eighth-grader.
"I was thinking that every year I'm privileged to travel across the country to play baseball. I see people who don't have a lot of the things that I grew up enjoying and having like a bike or a baseball glove," said
"I let kids know that some of the things they have are not necessities and that donating a new toy instead of spending money watching a movie can make a difference in someone's life," Jake said.
Jennifer Sola, Jake's mother, said that because her son is well-known in the youth sports circuit — baseball, basketball and golf are among his favorites — he's using his popularity to draw attention to an important cause.
In addition to Toys for Tots, Jake will also be helping his grandmother, Karen Sola, put together hundreds of hot chocolate packets inside Christmas mugs — an annual tradition — to sell to Concord church members, with the proceeds benefiting local causes.
"I can't tell you how proud my husband and I are to be his parents," said Sola. "This drive for him to bring awareness to help other kids came from him. He's always had a generous heart."
