(By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Staff Writer /Daily Press)
Posted in the Daily Press – December 19, 2017
(To read article  CLICK HERE)

VICTORVILLE — Santa Claus paid an early visit to the children of the High Desert during the 9th annual Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley Christmas Toy Giveaway.

The Christmas spirit was in high gear Tuesday as thousands of donated toys were given to excited and wide-eyed children during the holiday-themed event at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.

Inside the “toy building,” preregistered children and their families waited for “volunteer elves” to pick up age-appropriate toys for their young guests.

Josh Briggs and his 13-year old daughter, Priscilla, burned a lot of calories as the duo ran through the large area looking for the right gift.

“It’s a big responsibility, but I love it,” said a smiling Priscilla Briggs, as her dad held a doll and stuffed animal. “I love being able to bless children at Christmas and throughout the year by volunteering.”

Priscilla encouraged families to get their children involved in volunteer opportunities, saying, “If they’re not persuaded to do it now, they won’t do it later.”

The Briggs were part a large army volunteers whose excitement and smiles seemed to match those of the children visiting the toy giveaway.

“This is an exciting day for families in the High Desert and some 1,000 volunteers who helped to get this toy giveaway off the ground,” VVRM Volunteer Coordinator Jeremy George told the Daily Press. “We couldn’t have done this without several sponsors who held toy drives for us, and some generous individuals and groups who made some very large monetary donations.”

Mission Director Bill Edwards said the nonprofit exceeded its “toy goal” through the efforts of the Victorville Galleria, Spark of Love Toy Drive and several other agencies.

“This is the first year that we received so many toys that we didn’t have buy any,” Edwards said. “Blessing these families, meeting needs and sharing the love of Jesus Christ is what this is all about. We want to help spread the hope of the season.”

Inside a second building, “Santa’s Workshop” was filled with live music and adults who watched as their children worked on Christmas crafts, had their faces painted, listened to Bible stories and participated in free raffles.

“I asked Santa for a basketball and a Star Wars BB-8 LEGO.” said Caleb Jenkins, 7, moments after speaking with Jolly Old St. Nick. “I asked him for a My Little Pony for my sister too.”

As children lined up to see Santa, the Community Health Action Network team handed out information on pursuing a healthy lifestyle and the Ready 4 Reading Book Club painted faces and gave away books.

At the Emmanuel Temple prayer table, Patricia Watkins, 65, embraced a crying woman as the church leader prayed and blessed her.

“It’s such a blessing to be able to pray for those that are hurting or just need a word of encouragement,” Watkins said. “We’re here to bless them and to tell them that Jesus loves them.”

Wearing her grandmother’s special apron, Child Evangelism Fellowship leader Cindy Miller used a five-page, colored “Wordless Book” to “explain the gospel to children.”

“My grandma wore this apron back in 1937 when she began teaching a Good News Club,” Miller said. “Eighty years later, we’re still telling people about Jesus.”

The VVRM is an outreach ministry of the Rescue Mission Alliance, which provides food, clothing and opportunities for spiritual and physical recovery for those in need of assistance.