Christmas Block Party Comes to Town

REDLANDS>> The Redlands Police Department and City of Redlands Quality of Life Recreation Division will host the 19th Annual Christmas Block Party from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Redlands Community Center. The annual Christmas Party was created to assist families who are unable to enjoy the luxuries of a traditional Christmas celebration, particularly providing toys and presents for their children. Considering the number of low-income families, those in need and those who are unemployed in Redlands, the Redlands Police Department, Quality of Life Department, local businesses and numerous volunteers have come together each year to assist local families. The City of Redlands is working with various organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Redlands, Redlands Ford, Redlands Spine and Sport and Set Free Christian Fellowship to provide toys, food, bicycles, games and crafts to children during the annual block party, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon at the Redlands Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave. Between 3,000 and 5,000 families attend this event each year. For many of the children, this will be the only “Christmas” they receive. In addition to providing gifts, donated by various community groups, the celebration will also provide youth and children the opportunity to showcase their talents. Contests will be conducted throughout the event. The City of Redlands Recreation Division and Redlands Police Department continues to collect toys for this year’s event. Grant funding has been limited for the past several years and the toy drive will be a major contributor to the toys/gifts given to the children this year. In previous years, the toy drives have matched the gifts purchased through grant funding allowing more than 1,000 gifts and toys to be donated to our community, local shelters and families in crisis. All monetary and toy donations will assist in providing toys, food, bicycles, games and crafts to children during the annual block party. The community is invited to join in the spirit of giving by donating new, unwrapped toys for children between the ages of 4 and 12. Toys may be dropped off through Friday, Dec. 9 at the following locations throughout the city: Joslyn Senior Center, located at 21 Grant St; Redlands Community Center, located at 111 W. Lugonia Ave; Redlands Police Department, located at 1270 W. Park Ave; Toyota of Redlands, located at 921 New York St and Rendition Tattoo, located at 611 W. Redlands Blvd.