Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Hernandez, founder and president of the Hollenbeck Youth Center, hand a toy truck to a youngster at the Miracle on First Street celebration Saturday.
Wave Staff Report 18.DEC.08BOYLE HEIGHTS - The Hollenbeck Youth Center turned into a winter wonderland Saturday as 10,000 children received early Christmas presents at the 27th annual Miracle on First Street evemt sponsored by the Youth Center and the Inner-City Games.
Many participants camped out all night and lines of people stretched around the block. The first family in line received their Christmas gift from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny Hernandez, the founder and president of Hollenbeck Youth Center, actors Tom Arnold and Dax Shepherd and USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Kids then headed outside to Santa Claus Lane to find a snowy bank to slide down on, courtesy of the Union Ice Company.
The annual toy giveaway is hosted by the Hollenbeck Police Business Council in conjunction with the L.A. Inner-City Games, the Hollenbeck Youth Center, the Los Angeles Police Department Hollenbeck Division and the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Chief William Bratton, City Councilman Jose Huizar, state Controller John Chaing, and event co-chairs Superior Court Judge Scott Millington and Priscilla Hernandez, a board member for the Hollenbeck Youth Center and the Inner-City Games; were also on stage.
Danny Hernandez, who created the annual event expressed deep gratitude to the committee members, sponsors, donors and volunteers who, "despite these difficult economic times, prevailed in ensuring the event's success," he said.
"We encountered challenges this year, but no one wanted to disappoint the kids, so everyone just reached a little deeper," Hernandez added. "This year truly proved the collaborative efforts of community, police and business making this one of the largest toy giveaways we've ever had. For many kids, this is the only toy they will receive this holiday season and it could not happen without the generosity of everyone involved."
Big 5 Sporting Goods is the largest contributor of toys, donating truckloads for the past 13 years. Other sponsors include the city of Vernon, Spectrum Athletic Clubs, State Farm Insurance and Nike.
For the past 30 years, the Hollenbeck Youth Center has provided safe and quality after-school programs. It is committed to keeping youths from gang and criminal activities by involving them in educational, cultural and recreational programs and activities.
