TEMECULA, CALIF.—In early December, Pechanga Development Corp. donated toys, gifts and monetary funds for children and families in need through three Southern California charities—ABC7’s Spark of Love, the Marines’ Toys for Tots and the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation. The funds and gifts totaled nearly $15,000, and Pechanga leaders said they intend to help more deserving people.
Pechanga Firefighters and Pechanga Resort Casino team members volunteers recently shopped underserved Southern California children and teens. In Pechanga’s sixth year partnering with the ABC7 Spark of Love Toy Drive in conjunction with Toys for Tots, Pechanga donated an entire van load of toys to the special cause.
This year, Pechanga team members dropped off the shiny new gifts directly to the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the toy donation headquarters.
“This year looks a little different, but that didn’t stop us from wanting to help in the safest way possible. Pechanga has a long history of supporting the community. It’s something we really believe in,” said Ken Perez, Pechanga Development Corporation Board Member. “I think the biggest donation we offer are our team members and members of the Pechanga Fire Department who are out there voluntarily. This is a big deal for them, and they look forward to this every year. We had enough people to fill up cart after cart with toys, and even had to close off an entire checkout lane to accommodate us. We’re really proud of that.”
Annual Toys for Tots Donation
Each holiday season, Pechanga also donates to the Marines Corps Toys for Tots. The monetary donation allows the Marines to continue their program goal—giving the gift of a new toy and helping to bring the joy of the holidays and sending a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children.
Pechanga also donated funds to the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation. The Southern California foundation supports families with seriously ill children and works to grant the children’s wishes. Pechanga’s contribution allowed many families in the Inland Empire to have a holiday they may not have otherwise been able to. The funds helped purchase trees for decoration and gifts for the children and parents.
Pechanga also donates turkeys and funds for holiday hams to regional food banks and rescue missions for the holidays each year.
For more information about how Pechanga has been giving back during the pandemic, visit www.pechanga.com/community-outreach-during-pandemic.
