For a second year in a row, the Kids Fashion Week Network, the Lemon Grove Lions Club, Improving Lemon Grove sponsored the Lemon Grove Toy Giveaway at 12 Point Brewing Company on Dec. 13, bring joy to around 600 children after spending weeks collecting toys with the help of local businesses. Children browsed through toys with their parents, Santa was there to talk to the children, and the many volunteers worked to help the children and spread some holiday cheer. Venders were outside at 12 Point selling street tacos, brisket an mac, grilled cheese sandwiches and more. At the event, they passed out snacks and drinks to the children.
Lemon Grove Council member Liana LaBaron, also a Lions Club officer said this event had a twofold effort behind it
“One was to support local businesses and the other was to make Lemon Grove children happy,” she said.
LaBaron said that this year 16 local businesses had toy donation boxes in their stores.
“We encouraged people to go shop, dine, and patronize those local businesses and to drop off a toy while they were there. “Thanks to these businesses there are over 600 toys today an plenty of happy kids to take these toys home.”
Aubree Russell, Kids Week Fashion Network director said she was happy to participate in this event for a second year.
“The event was only for Lemon Grove residents, but with so many toys, we opened the event to anyone who wanted to come by.”
Improving Lemon Grove co-founder Kathleen McClean said its mission is to participate and create events that help the residents of Lemon Grove, sponsoring community cleanups, and free events for children and adults.
“It is always about giving back to our community,” she said. “They did this event last year and it was very successful. We are community group and these are the types of events that we love to do.”
