Los Angeles Mission Christmas for the Homeless - December 23 Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) December 23, 2011 -- Contact: Steve Ruppe
949-584-9086 (cell)

HOMELESS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT LOS ANGELES MISSION

Skid Row Event Features Gourmet Meal, Christmas Wonderland with Gifts for Kids

Los Angeles, California --- (December 23, 2011) --- It was the biggest Christmas event ever for Skid Row families at the Los Angeles Mission Friday. Thousands of toys were wrapped and handed out to kids in a huge Christmas Wonderland tent – as all enjoyed a gourmet meal served to nearly 4,000.

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Los Angeles Mission Christmas for the Homeless - December 23 Event

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http://www.losangelesmission.org

Toyota was the primary sponsor for the event, with toys donated by JAKKS Pacific, and the Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party presented by the Festival for Children Foundation.

“It takes a lot of support and volunteer hours to put this size of celebration together,” said Herbert L. Smith, President of the Mission. “Thousands of lives were touched today, not just the guests, but the volunteers and staff, too. I saw lots of smiles and laughter, something you don’t often see on the streets of Skid Row.”

Thanks to a financial donation from Toyota as well as thousands of toys from JAKKS Pacific and hundreds from other donors, children were delighted by the day. The Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party featured Santa, decorations, music and crafts for the children. Toys were wrapped so children had the choice of opening them immediately or waiting until Christmas morning. Hundreds of volunteer hours were spent sorting, wrapping and marking the gifts so they could be distributed in an age and gender appropriate manner.

Celebrity Chef Ben Ford of Ford’s Filling Station worked with the Los Angeles Mission Chef Chris Cormier and the kitchen staff to envision and prepare the meal. There was lemon-rosemary roasted chicken, the Mission’s famous mac and cheese, fresh glazed carrots with thyme, a special Winter Fruit Chutney created by Chef Ford, and apple compound butter for the dinner rolls. The meal was rounded out by pies for dessert.

“Los Angeles Mission is extremely important to the entire community of LA,” Said Chef Ford. “Being born and raised in LA, I've watched them grow and handle the daunting task of feeding LA's disadvantaged. I was very excited when they asked me to be part of their 75th anniversary holiday celebration, and I look forward to feeding the hearts and souls of our guests.”

Finishing touches on the meal were provided by Chef Ford and Gilles Marini (Parenthood), Booboo Stewart (Twilight), and Edwin Hodge (Cougartown) – along with Tracy Underwood from sponsor Toyota and Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder of Festival of Children Foundation Friday morning in a special demonstration kitchen. The meal was served by celebrities, elected leaders and other volunteers to the seated guests in the Christmas decorated outdoor dining area on Fifth Street.

“The Los Angeles Mission provides wonderful support and services to Los Angeles families in need, and Toyota is proud to help the Mission make the holidays a bit brighter for them for the second year in a row,” said Underwood, Toyota Motor Sales’ national manager of corporate philanthropy. “Two hundred of our associates from our Torrance campus were onsite to volunteer their time at the Mission’s holiday dinner to show support for those working to rebuild their lives.”

“The Los Angeles Mission is very grateful to Toyota and the other companies who donated to make today’s event successful,” said President Smith. “The economy doldrums and high unemployment have really impacted Los Angeles, and we are seeing that impact every day as more individuals and families come for help. Coupled with a downturn in donations because of the same economic situation, we are faced with doing more with less. It is because of generous donors that we are able to continue to help those who need it every day – not just for the momentary need, but to help long-term.”

“JAKKS is pleased to provide toys for the Los Angeles Mission Christmas Celebration to create a magical experience for thousands of deserving children this holiday season,” said Anne-Marie Feliciano, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Philanthropy, JAKKS Pacific. “We are grateful to the Los Angeles Mission for the vital work they do to improve the lives of underserved children in the community.”

Festival for Children Foundation staff and volunteers arrived early Friday morning to set up the 2,000 square foot Festival of Children Foundation Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party tent on Skid Row. There were decorated Christmas trees, giant nutcrackers, Santa and his sleigh, Hello Kitty crafts, and each child received a bag of toys. More than 50 volunteers made a very special place for the children of Skid Row with decorations, snow and loads of fun.

“These children need and deserve to feel special,” said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder of Festival of Children Foundation. “At the end of the day our hope is that they also feel loved.”

Friday morning started early for the staff and volunteers and the Mission. There were last minute gift donations to wrap, and the big dinner to prepare. And the volunteers in the kitchen early Friday also served breakfast to those who came early to stand in line. Volunteers also handed out hot breakfast sandwiches and cider to the waiting families.

At 5:00 AM Fifth Street from Wall Street to San Pedro was closed to vehicular traffic and the street set up started.

Many who came to Friday’s event live in temporary housing in the Skid Row area, others in shelters, and many came from the streets. All are greeted by staff and volunteers with love and served a hearty meal and given holiday treats. As they waited to be seated and served, the guests enjoyed holiday music from a number of local musical groups.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.
For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children's toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Girl Gourmet™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots® and Disguise™. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney®, Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco® and Cabbage Patch Kids®. www.jakks.com. © 2011 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.

About Festival of Children Foundation:
Festival of Children Foundation is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that serves to bring together and coordinate the efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children. Festival of Children Foundation gives a voice, guidance and support. 100% of the administrative costs are covered by designated funding, allowing donations to go further in direct support of programs and services that improve the lives of children. For more information, visit www.FestivalofChildren.org.

For over 75 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Skid Row, providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling. For additional information go to www.losangelesmission.org. Follow us on Twitter @thelamission or on Facebook.com/losangelesmission.

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Celebrities who served at the Los Angeles Mission Christmas event included:

Forest Whitaker
Gilles Marini
James Pickens Jr.
Sarah Drew
Marilyn McCoo
Billy Davis Jr.
Aldis Hodge
Edwin Hodge
Booboo Stewart
Jill Scott
Kate Linder]
Lauren Storm
Martin Kove
Brandon Molale
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Congressman David Dreier
Sheriff Lee Baca
Los Angeles City Council Member Jan Perry

Photos available at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150497145678728.384697.262905633727&type=3

More information can be found online at http://www.losangelesmission.org

Celebrities serve homeless     Chef Ben Ford     Christmas party for Homeless     homeless     homeless kids     Los Angeles Mission     nonprofit     toyota