The iconic Beach Cities Toy Drive, now in its 33rd year, has earned a reputation as more than "just" a charitable holiday event. A spirited annual tradition, it has resulted in decades worth of camaraderie and friendship-building between Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.

This year's toy drive runs from now through Friday, December 19, and culminates in a boisterous "wrapping party," to be held on Saturday, December 20 at the Joslyn Center in Manhattan Beach.

"People say it is the most fun they have ever had wrapping presents, seeing old friends, making new friends and knowing that you made a Christmas wish come true for hundreds of children," said former Manhattan Beach mayor and city councilman Richard Montgomery, who is the host member for the city of Manhattan Beach.

The Beach Cities Toy Drive is a joint effort between the cities of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach during the holiday season. Each year, the drive yields thousands of toys that are given to the children serviced by local charities. This year's charities include The Salvation Army, Harbor-UCLA Child Crisis Center, 1736 Family Crisis Center, Richstone Family Center, Special Needs Networks, Inc., Good Shepherd Center, The Midnight Mission, Los Angeles County Toy Loan Program, South Central Family Health Center, and Toys for Champions.

To contribute to the drive, donate unwrapped new toys to the locations listed below by Friday, December 19:

• Manhattan Beach Fire Station One, 400 15th Street, Manhattan Beach
• Manhattan Beach City Hall, 1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach
• Los Angeles County Fire Station No. 100, 540 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach
• Hermosa Beach Police Department, 540 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach (open 24 hours)

Toy donations will also be accepted on Sunday, December 14, during the holiday fireworks, at Manhattan Beach Fire Station One, 400 15th St.

The wrapping party takes place on Saturday, December 20 at the Joslyn Center in Manhattan Beach from 10:00 a.m. until all the toys are wrapped. All are welcome; participants are asked to bring scissors, tape and any extra wrapping paper.

'Wrappers" and "Runners"

The majority of toy drive board members are former local elected officials - four out of eight members - from Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. The remaining board members are active volunteers and all live in either Hermosa or Manhattan.

Montgomery is now in his 20th year as a board member for the drive, and in his 10th year as host member for Manhattan Beach.

 

"I was 'drafted' by former Manhattan Beach Mayor Connie Sieber and former Hermosa Beach Mayors Sam Edgerton and J.R. Reviczky in 2005," said Montgomery. "I had no idea how this small group of volunteers could generate so many donated toys." 

Some companies such as Chevron and Skechers always donate some funds to purchase skateboards, bicycles, razors and helmets but all other unwrapped toys are donated, he added. 

At the wrapping party, the “wrappers” are provided paper, scissors and tape, while “runners” pick up wrapped toys and drop them in large collection boxes divided by age groups. Participants are rewarded with food donated by local Hermosa and Manhattan Beach restaurants and "food wrangler" Ron Newman.

"The fun is watching residents from the Beach Cities that come each year to wrap thousands of toys while sitting on the floor of Joslyn Center," said Montgomery. 

Montgomery added that the event would not be possible without support from generous donors, wrappers, local restaurants. He also thanked Manhattan Beach city staff and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Franklin for making the Joslyn Center available.