Career Youth Development (CYD) will hold its 26th Annual ‘Lil Jeanetta Robinson Toys for the Children that Santa Forgot but God Remembered through your Gifts of Love’ event on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at the location of the (former) North Division High School, 1011 W. Center Street beginning at 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm.
This event is held annually in rememberance of Jeanetta Robinson’s granddaughter Lil Netta who was discovered on her 6th Birthday Party on Dec. 27 giving away her toys to the kids attending the party. When asked why, she responded the children told her that “they hadn’t received any toys for Christmas and since she had received toys for both Christmas and her birthday she decided to give away her Christmas toys.”
Jeanetta Robinson began the following year bringing Lil Netta at age 7 to CYD to celebrate her birthday and each year during her birthday celebration Lil Netta gave toys away. Tragically on April 4, 1984 Lit Netta and her mother Cheryl Robinson were murdered. Jeanetta decided to continue the tradition that her granddaughter started. The event has grown from 20 children receiving toys and gifts to 2,000.
Each year youth ages 12 and under receive toys, clothing, and educational books after Christmas. The event outgrew CYD’s headquarters and has been held at the former North Division High School location for the past 10 years.
For those who may be interested and able to make donations for the event, contact CYD before Dec. 28 at 414-264-6888.
