Boys & Girls Clubs Holds Holiday Event for 700 Youths in Redlands

REDLANDS>> Roughly 700 youths received toys and met Santa Claus at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside’s annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Burrage Mansion on Friday, Dec. 16. Kids from the club’s 36 Inland Empire locations were bused to the mansion for the event, which was held both inside and outside. Club members chose a toy, heard a story from Santa and Mrs. Claus, did crafts, watched a magic show, played games and ate pizza. The Redlands Fire Department, T-Mobile, Starbucks, iHerb, Kaiser Permanente and KFRG-FM collected hundreds of toys donated by their employees and the community. “It sincerely brings joy to my heart every year that we get to donate toys and our time for the children of the Boys & Girls Club,” said T-Mobile district manager Robert Lobato, who oversees the mobile phone provider’s Inland Empire South region. “Interacting with the kids is an amazing experience, as they are humble and appreciative for the people around them who truly care.” The club was one of the beneficiaries of the Fire Department’s annual Spark of Love toy drive, and firefighters helped the kids pick out toys. “This is the culmination, where the hard work pays off,” said Fire Capt. Reggie Brown. “You see the excitement on the kids’ faces when they see a specific toy.” iHerb Senior Human Resources Manager Mary Cardenas said more iHerb employees wanted to donate toys and volunteer at Holiday Extravaganza after hearing her first-time experiences last year. “When you see kids come up the steps to the mansion, it’s so exciting,” said Cardenas, who is also a club board member. “We definitely want to come year after year.” The scores of volunteers – who included T-Mobile, iHerb and Starbucks employees, Assisteens and National Charity League – escorted groups of kids around the mansion and grounds. Some volunteers helped kids do activities and supervised games inside and outside. Assisteens and National Charity League also donated toys and movie tickets. The event was one of the club’s largest Holiday Extravaganzas to date. The mansion, which is owned by Redlands native and businessman Tim Rochford and his wife Carol, was decked out for Christmas. A two-story, decorated tree stood in the main entryway, and the mansion and grounds were festooned with lights and decorative pieces. The Rochfords gave out books. “Our community partners make it possible for us to give our members such a great holiday experience,” said Mark Davis, vice president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of those businesses, the fire department and volunteers.”