Letter to the Editor: It's A Wrap!

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Beach Cities Toy Drive Committee, a big “thank you” to everyone who donated and/or wrapped a toy, wrote a check, provided food or live entertainment at the 20th Annual Beach Cities Toy Drive wrapping party.   

This year, the event, took place at the Joslyn Center in Manhattan Beach and culminated in the collection of approximately 3,000 new toys for distribution to underprivileged kids in the Los Angeles area.  

Throughout the Holiday Season, the new toys were collected and dropped off at the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach fire stations, as well as other holiday mixers. From there, the toys were transferred to a sea container in Hermosa. 

All of the toys, save a small number, were then wrapped by volunteers at the December 15th wrapping party in Manhattan Beach and distributed to recognized charities such as the 1736 House, Richstone, UCLA Child Crisis Center, L.A. County Toy Loan Program, and the Good Shepherd Center for Women.  

About 100 people came to the Joslyn Center in Manhattan Beach this year, wrapped toys, saw old friends and left with warm souls and well-deserved praise. Peggy Barr ran a victory lap around the hall for sporting the oldest, commemorative wrapping party t-shirt which dated all the way back to 1994!

For everyone’s efforts, the party wrappers enjoyed great food served at lunch from our participating restaurants: Sharkeez, Palmilla, Café Boogaloo, Gum Tree, Patrick Malloy’s, Hennessey’s, American Junkie, Mediterraneo, Cantina Real, Pancho’s, Mama D’s, Silvio’s Barbeque and Abigales. Live entertainment was provided by the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders. 

A special thanks goes to other participating entities such as the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, JOL Design Screenprinting and, of course, the Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach fire departments, which make this event possible every year. 

Last, the “Big Hug Award” once again goes to the Hermosa Cyclery which, for another straight year, donated 35 brand-new bicycles. It warms my heart to know that several kids in Los Angeles who would otherwise do without are getting those new bikes for the holidays. 

See you at the Community Center Gym in Hermosa Beach with a toy and wrapping party next year!     

Sam Y. Edgerton, III