Kids Fashion Week Network So-Cal, in partnership with the Lemon Grove Lions Club, Lemon Grove Forward Club, and Improving Lemon Grove is sponsoring its 5th annual Lemon Grove Toy Drive through Dec. 9, collecting toys for children in Lemon Grove from 0-18 years old. The community is asked to drop off unwrapped toys throughout participating businesses in Lemon Grove.
Lemon Grove Council member Liana LeBaron, a member of the Lions Club, Forward Club, and Improving Lemon Grove, said this toy drive began five years ago with a chance meeting while walking the neighborhood while running for City Council when she met Kids Fashion Week Founder Aubree Russel.
“A couple of weeks later, Aubree and I were sitting at the Lemon Grove Deli talking about how we can best help our community at that time. We came up with a Lemon Grove toy drive. The goal was twofold. One was to drive traffic to local mom and pop businesses at a time when they were hurting the most. It was 2020, the age of COVID. The second goal was to make the children of Lemon Grove happy. That is how the toy drive began. Over turkey sandwiches at the Lemon Grove Deli, between two Lemon Grove born natives,” she said.
LeBaron said at that point they involved local businesses, and all they must do is host a box in their business.
“Aubree and I do the rest. Driving traffic to their business and promoting them for toy drop off. Since, it has grown. We involved local firefighters, the Lemon Grove School District, local organizations like the Lions Club, Forward Club, and Improving Lemon Grove,” she said.
LeBaron said each year, the toy give-away day has been hosted at a different business, this year being held at the Lemon Grove First Baptist Church, located at 2910 Main Street on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. LeBaron said they take toys for all ages, but what they have seen is that teenagers get the least amount of donated toys, so she encourages the community to remember the older teenagers when picking out toys to donate.
“This is a very homegrown effort by Lemon Grove natives, and now is going on in its fifth year and it is growing strong,” said LeBaron.
Toys can be dropped off at the following participating businesses: Lidos – Enjoy 20% off pizza and pasta when you donate a toy, Onyx Moto, Berry’s Athletic Supply, El Pollo Grill, Giardino, Lemon Grove Antique Mall, Lemon Grove Shoe Repair, Miss Donuts, Elevated Coffee and Confections, Artisan Kings Barbershop, The Family House of Pancakes, VFW Post 208, Larry H. Miller Toyota of Lemon Grove, Coops West Texas BBQ, Sprouts, Lemon Grove Bistro, Pure Fruit Bar and Deli, Lemon Grove Fire Station 10, and Peacock Nails.
Find the full list and updated drop off locations at kfwnetwork.com/toydrive..
Any questions please contact Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron (480) 343-1750.
Correction: In the print version of this article, the toy give away event was to be held at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center Field. The venue has been changed since publication, and now the toy giveaway location is the Lemon Grove First Baptist Church.
