By Gary Kohatsu
The Gardena Police Founda- tion was the top donor to the 2023 this past week with a gen- erous gift of $2,000. The GPF contribution was the second highest donation, only behind the Gardena Elks $5,000.
Presenting the $2,000 checks to Helping Hands coordinator Jackie Arcos were GPD Chief Mike Saffell, Josh Bettencourt and Alex Fleischman.
Other recent donors were Evelyn Nall,” In memory of Norma Nall” $200, and six separate $100 contributions from Dolores Doll-Sales, Sofia Pappatheodorou, 2nd Time Around Seniors, Shanna Tanaka, Doreen Watanabe and Toni Woods.
Finally, two generous gifts of $50 each were given by Marie Dobner and Oralia Gamez.
Toy Donations
Helping Hands coordinator Jaclyn Arcos said that Sam’s Auto Land, Nissin Food, Raising Cane’s and Nader’s LA Popular furniture store are businesses collecting toys along with City departments.
The Gardena Police Foundation have kicked off the 2023 Helping Hands holiday food and toy fundraiser for needy families with three monetary contributions and toy donations. The Southern California Inka Lions have donated toys, Arcos said.
Two others who have donated much toys are Nader’s LA Popular furniture store and the Hustler Casino.
Sam’s Auto Land, Nissin Food and Raising Cane’s are businesses collecting toys along with City departments.
Now in its 42nd year, the holiday program is conducted through the city of Gardena.
There are eight drop-off locations: City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Gardena Transit, 13999 S. Western Ave., Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Human Services Building, 1651 W. 162nd St., Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Nakaoka Community Center, 1670 W. 162nd St.; Freeman Park, 2100 block of W. 154th Place, Monday to Friday, 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Arthur Johnson Park, 1200 block of W. 170th St., Monday to Friday, 3 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Mas Fukai Park, 15800 Brighton Ave., Monday to Friday, 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Rowley Park, 13220 Van Ness Ave., Monday to Friday, 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sun- day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monetary donations are also accepted and welcomed via www.cityofgardena.org/events. For questions regarding the registration process, contact the Human Services Division at 310-217-9574 or email helpinghands@cityofgardena.org.
The Helping Hands program helps between 400 and 450 fam- ilies each holiday season. That would include about 700 children and overall, about 2,000 people.
For a great cause
Sponsored by the city of Gardena in partnership with the Gardena Valley News, the holiday food drive began in 1980 as a food basket giveaway to Gardena’s less fortunate.
In recent years, food vouchers to area grocery stores have replaced food baskets, which provides families with a greater selection of food items, including dietary and ethnic items.
Last year, the Helping Hands program received palettes of canned foods and non-perishables from various groups for the holiday.
The city of Gardena provides all staffing in the Hands drive and all monetary contributions go toward the holiday fundraiser and the year-round food pantry.
No money is used for administrative costs.
As in the past, the Gardena Valley News publishes a list of contributors, with a weekly update of new donors.
To learn more about the event, contact Jaclyn Arcos, City of Gardena Recreation Department, at 310-217-9574.
Week 5
Gardena Police Foundation $2,000
Evelyn Nall,” In memory of Nor- ma Nall” $200 Dolores Doll-Sales $100
Sofia Pappatheodorou $100 2nd Time Around Seniors $100 Shanna Tanaka $100 Doreen Watanabe $100
Toni Woods Marie Dobner Oralia Gamez _________ Week 3/4
Gerrie Buffett _________ Week 2
Gardena Elks Community of
Betty Hill
Gardena Valley Committee on Aging $100
LaVerne Knight ______ Week 1
Councilmember Paulette Fran- cis $200 Friends of the Library $200 Gardena Valley Affiliated Committee on Aging $100
