As guests entered BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse on Dec. 6, for the annual Military Toy Drive party, they were pleasantly surprised. As they walked past the display tables filled with all the toys purchased or donated to this toy drive, they were delighted by the overwhelming number of toys on those tables.

There were dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, cars, basketballs, bicycles, footballs, soccer balls, tea sets, miscellaneous games, bike helmets, robots, Lego sets, and everything in between.

La Mesa Chamber members, friends and sponsors came together to celebrate the strength of our community in support of our families living in La Mesa military housing. The Chamber has a strong belief that being a leader within a community includes giving back and making a difference.

This is the eighth year that La Mesa Chamber has assisted these children and their families.

LMC was honored to partner with the following sponsors who helped make this happen: Presenting Sponsor, EDCO, joined by Supporting Sponsors-Kirk Paving, Inc., Amanda Hammett Insurance & Financial Services –State Farm, Cabrillo Credit Union and Union Bank.

A grand total of more than 620 toys, books and other items were purchased and collected to make the holidays a little brighter for these families. This project is done in partnership with Liberty Military Housing, the group that manages military housing throughout the nation and host holiday events for more than 2,000 military children in the region.

Representatives from Liberty Military Housing, Cindy Farless and her team were on hand to mix and mingle.

“We are grateful for the support of the La Mesa Chamber and the entire community, that are dedicated to the La Mesa military families,” stated Farless, regional community services director of Liberty Military Housing.

Special thanks to the men and women of the La Mesa Police Department who donated more than 200 toys to the project and to the dedicated volunteers who assisted that evening.