More than 700 youth received toys and met Santa Claus at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside’s 12th annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Burrage Mansion in December.
Kids from the eight Inland Empire communities where the Club offers programs 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, sang holiday songs with Redlands Community Music Association volunteers, played games, and ate pizza.
The Redlands Fire Department and many Inland Empire corporations and businesses collected hundreds of toys donated by their employees and the community.
The Club was one of the beneficiaries of the Fire Department’s annual Spark of Love toy drive, and firefighters and fire explorers helped the kids pick out toys.
Scores of volunteers escorted groups of kids around the mansion and grounds. Some volunteers helped kids do activities and supervised games inside and outside.
The Club also hosted a party for about 100 middle school and high school members at the Dennis Hansberger Clubhouse in Redlands.
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 – including a 70-foot outdoor tree made of lights. Tim Rochford gave out books.
“Our community partners make it possible for us to give our members such a memorable holiday experience,” said Mark Davis, senior 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, volunteers, and Rochford Foundation.”
Sponsors, volunteers and toy donors included San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Kohl’s, Kiwanis Club of Redlands-Noon, Myron F. Ratcliffe Foundation, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Molina Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, KFROG 95.1, Assisteens, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, Ralph Lauren, and Burgeson’s Heating & Air Conditioning.