Thinking of You Project: Year in Review

By: Chloe Ding

As 2025 comes to a close, we would like to reflect on the new progress made this past year, and recognize the impact that was created through everyone involved in the TOY Project. Here are some highlights from this year:

1. The 2025 team!

   At the start of the year, we established our inaugural executive board, comprising members from various grades and backgrounds. Chloe Ding and Alicia Tang served as co-presidents, spearheading new initiatives and collaborating with the team. Audry McKay, our Event Director, organized a series of events at local senior centers, including Carlton Senior Living and Aegis Living Fremont. Bella Le, our Outreach Officer, created connections with new senior centers and identified growth opportunities for the TOY Project. Betty Huang, our Marketing Officer, ensured our Instagram (@thetoyproject_) and TikTok (@thetoyproject) followers were kept informed with the latest updates. Lastly, Samuel Pang contributed to the development of our website, enhancing its accessibility for all community members interested in participating in the TOY Project.

   
   

   The 2026 cycle for TOY Project officer applications is currently open. If you are a high schooler (especially underclassman) looking for a leadership opportunity where you can utilize your unique skills in a meaningful way, apply here today. Applications for the 2026 cycle are due by January 25th.

   

   TOY Project Executive Team & members of TOY Project Oakwood Branch

2. Bobateeno

   Hosted by the Mayor of Cupertino, Liang Chao, Bobateeno was an event for youth clubs and organizations to display their initiatives and community members to connect while enjoying Boba. At Bobateeno, we ran a booth, speaking to event-goers about the impact of senior isolation, and providing a station for children to decorate cards that we eventually distributed at the local Senior Nutrition program. We also had a chance to speak to Mayor Chao herself, who shared that she would be open to collaborating in regards to establishing new initiatives to better support senior citizens in Cupertino. The TOY Project team had a wonderful time sharing about senior isolation and enjoying delicious Boba of course!

   

   Betty, Chloe, Alicia, and Audry

3. Senior Center Partnerships

   This year, we collaborated with numerous senior centers in the Bay Area, hosting multiple music performances, craft workshops, and card-distributions. One highlight was our music performance held at Aegis Living Fremont, where we were joined by 10 young musicians of different ages, ranging from 6 to 17! The residents at Aegis Living and the young musicians were all able to enjoy a love for music that afternoon, and connect through a language that does not require words.

   
   

   

4. Senior Nutrition Program Collaborations

   We partnered with numerous local Senior Nutrition Program locations, which provide free meals and a place for older adults to socialize. At the most recent session the TOY Project team attended, over 100 holiday cards written by local high schools were distributed. Through the small gesture, many attendees expressed their gratitude and felt seen.

   

   Chloe Ding, Audry Mckay, and Laura Reyes (Recreation Program Specialist) at the Evergreen Community Center Senior Nutrition Program

5. New Branch Program

   Students who start a branch of TOY Project receive the opportunity to bridge the generations in their communities, while being supported with resources and direct advisory from the TOY Project board. Beginning a branch is a meaningful leadership opportunity to encourage more young people to be involved in spreading awareness for senior isolation. This year, our new branch program welcomed it's very first location at Oakwood High School in Morgan Hill. Recently, they held their first event at a Valley Pines Assisted Living, with students from Oakwood high school sharing their talents for music with the residents there. If you are a high schooler interested in starting a TOY Project branch, click here!

Closing message:

This past year has had so many wins, with many new connections made in the community. In 2026, we hope to expand with more branches, with the goal of leaving no senior feeling uncared for. Thank you for following on this journey, and remember to follow us on social media to stay updated!