The 20th annual Native American Children Toy Drive & Concert took place on Friday at the Arizona Science Center to collect toy and clothing donations for Native American children in need.
Various musicians, artists and other organizations put on the event by volunteering their time.
Any items collected are distributed to families by organizations such as Native Health and Phoenix Indian Center. Phoenix Indian Center has been involved with the event since it began.
“It’s a great way to support the community over the holidays,” Phoenix Indian Center CEO Patti Hibbeler said. “What’s so cool about this event is that it is an event where everybody’s here on volunteer time, and nobody ever exchanges money.”
Admission to the event is a toy or piece of clothing, and attendees have access to various exhibits throughout the Science Center.
“This is really for the community to come enjoy,” event organizer and Native American musician Randy Kemp said. “These are the folks that they know, these are their representatives as far as the artists and musicians.”
Kemp, who originally performed at the event with his band Artificial Red, took over organizing the event from founder Darryl Tonemah around 10 years ago.
“It’s kind of an indigenous ideal because no beginning, no end, but we take care of one another. In this whole process, we’re all getting something out of it,” he said. “There is no monetary value in that sense. We are here because we want to support our community.”
A big component of the event is the musicians that come to perform. Gabriel Ayala, a classical guitarist from the Yaqui tribe, has been attending the event for more than 10 years.
“I think it’s important as indigenous artists to give back to our communities, especially for indigenous children, to show them that it’s not always about us. It’s about coming out, hanging out, sharing the evening with everybody and just giving back and sharing music,” Ayala said.
He likes that there are no barriers at the event and that he is able to connect with the community. He has also sponsored a similar event for his community in Tucson for the last seven years.
“For me it’s important to show our youth that you always need to return to your roots and showcase that and give back. So for me, I do this whenever called upon,” he said.
Another newer component of the event is the art market. Local artisans can showcase and sell their handmade goods, as well as donate an item for a raffle for attendees.
Bryson Manley of Good Medicine Jewelry attended the event for the second year in a row. He said that he enjoys how the event brings the community together to help indigenous children.
“Everything that we do is to bring smiles to children’s faces; that’s in our culture. That’s one of the most important things,” Manley said. “In the Navajo tradition, we throw a party the first time you make a baby laugh, and the person that makes them actually has to cook them dinner and has to host the entire event.”
He likes the opportunity to educate people on his culture and the jewelry his mother makes. For him, the event provides opportunities for artists to make connections with each other as well as the community.
Contact the reporter at vewahl@asu.edu.
