Good fortune was spread and going towards the hands of kids who might otherwise go without gifts in December.
At the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds on Thursday, Nov. 21, the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce’s business mixer brought together local vendors, restaurants, caterers and a performance by the Lakeside Middle School Performing Arts choir for a spirited event of giving presided over by Santa himself.
Good fortune was spread and going towards the hands of kids who might otherwise go without gifts in December.
At the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds on Thursday, Nov. 21, the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce’s business mixer brought together local vendors, restaurants, caterers and a performance by the Lakeside Middle School Performing Arts choir for a spirited event of giving presided over by Santa himself.
Matching in festive wintery dresses, the choir captured the attention of the crowd who moments prior were doing what they came to do—maintain partnerships friendships, make new ones and most important, “come together for the kids and families of Lakeside,” said Brenda Asaro, Lakeside Chamber of Commerce board member. Asaro has been with Cafe 67 for eight years and the Chamber of Commerce for four.
“Lakeside collects toys anyway throughout the season, so we decided on this night to turn it into a toy collection for the community,” Asaro said.
Asaro said this event has outgrown its venues for the past two years. Approximately two hundred people were expected for the Business Mixer/Toy Drive.
“You just wouldn’t believe what Lakeside comes together to do, seeing all these restaurants donating their food,” she said, pointing to the long buffet line of eateries, bakers and a brewery that collectively provided crowd-pleasing favorites. Attendees enjoyed it all with a toy donation the price of admission.
Toy donations are kept by Harvest Christian Fellowship. Then, on Dec. 21, parents of about 300 Lakeside’s needy families who have pre-registered with Pastor Ralph Goodrich meet at the church.
“And then the parents shop for their kids, it’s set up like a toy store and a host goes with them, parents even have the opportunity to wrap the gifts for their kids,” said Goodrich.
When parents are done shopping, they take home holiday dinner for their families.
“Firefighters and local businesses make cash donations for the older kids,” said Goodrich. “It all comes from Lakeside and it goes back into Lakeside.”
The monthly business mixer took on an entirely different personality with the call to help children and families in need. With the response of businesses, schools, churches and individuals eager to help, the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce toy drive is able to reach more people every year. It has become its own holiday tradition.
