Sonoma Raceway has taken the green flag on its 13th annual High-Powered Toy Drive to help spread cheer this holiday season. The raceway will partner with several Sonoma Valley businesses to put smiles on hundreds of faces throughout the community.

All toys collected during the drive, which runs through Dec. 9, will be distributed to more than 250 children at the raceway's annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec. 12.  New, unwrapped toys and gifts for children from newborn to 12 years old are needed. 

"I was really excited to come today," said six-year-old Oliver Toral from Sonoma, who attended last year's holiday party at Sonoma Raceway. "I really wanted a Transformer and I got a Transformer. It was awesome."

New for 2015, the Sonoma Stompers will give away autographed Jayce Ray Photo Cards, Bill "Spaceman" Lee Commemorative posters or a Stompers stress ball to anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the Sonoma Stompers Fan Shop. In addition, Don Sebastiani and Sons will also collect toys at their Sonoma and Napa locations.

Donations can also be dropped off at the following locations until Wednesday, Dec. 9:

  • Sonoma Raceway, 29355 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 95476, 800-870-RACE, www.racesonoma.com, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.  Toys can also be mailed to the raceway.
  • AAA Sonoma, 650 2nd St W, Sonoma, (707) 528-5900, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., www.calstate.aaa.com.
  • Don & Sons, 19150 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, CA 95476 or 520 Airpark Road, Napa, CA 9458
  • Sonoma City Hall, 1 The Plaza, Sonoma, (707) 938-3681, sonomacity.org.
  • Schell-Vista Fire Department, 23000 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-938-2633, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sonoma Index-Tribune, 117 West Napa Street, Sonoma, 707-938-2111, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sonoma Stompers Fan Shop, 234 West Napa Street, Sonoma, 707-938-7277, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sonoma Valley Fire Department, 630 Second Street West, Sonoma, 707-996-2102, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Gundlach-Bundschu Winery and its guests will again support the Toy Drive at the winery's HolidayPalooza on Saturday, Dec. 5.  Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the tasting room for a complimentary tasting and special treats. The public is encouraged to attend from 11 a.m.-2:30p.m.  For more information, visit gunbun.com/calendar.

For more information on the Race to the Holidays Children's Christmas Party or High-Powered Toy Drive, please contact Jen Imbimbo at 707-933-3981 or [email protected].