Christmas Came Early This Year at LLUCH by Karolyn Dang - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Christmas Came Early This Year at LLUCH

By Karolyn Dang, Community Writer
July 30, 2014 at 08:52am. Views: 118

Did you know that 1.5 million children go through the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital (LLUCH) every year? Throughout the year the American Legion, headed by Commander John Mejia, collects and purchases toys to supplement the hospital. The group recently delivered these toys in style. The American Legion invited local car clubs and motorcycle clubs to participate in this year’s “Christmas in July” event. Clubs came from as far as Los Angeles to give the Sons of the American Legion Post 155 a helping hand for the annual event. Each year, participating groups and organizations meet at the Courtyard Shopping Center on Washington Ave in Colton as early as 6:30 a.m. to help make this goal possible. From there, a parade of cars and motorcycles ride all the way down to the entrance of the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. The whole idea of Christmas in July is "to remind us that while we're standing here strong and healthy, there are those of us that aren't as fortunate," Mejia said. This annual event allows groups to give the children recognition and to show them that people do love them and care about them. "It's not their fault that they're there," Mejia commented. "But it's up to us and the community to make these kids feel good." This year, a special moment occurred as a particular patient came out to visit Santa Claus. A 16-year-old girl was wheeled out of the hospital by her mother. The girl had just come out of a major surgery and was left unable to speak. She was in tears when her mother said that it was her birthday. In that moment, everyone in the crowd gathered to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. "Can you imagine how many of those children spend their birthdays in hospital beds or come out of surgery and are stuck in their room?" Mejia questioned. This young girl, as well as several other patients, was escorted to the hospital entrance where Summer Claus sat with a truck load of toys. Each patient received a toy of their choice and had a chance to look around at all the classic cars and road bikes. All the toys that were left over were separated by age group and stored in bins so the hospital could use them for future gift-giving occasions like birthdays. With the help of Foundation Champions Major Gifts Officer Tiffany Hoekstra and Senior Foundation Specialist Kelly Phipps, this year's Christmas in July was deemed a success. The Sons of the American Legion Post 155 plan on donating a substantial amount to the hospital in August. In ten years of planning and coordinating, the American Legion has thus far raised over $100,000 for LLUCH. Immediately following the closing of the event, Commander John Mejia has already started planning for next year's Christmas in July. A date has already been set with the hospital. Commander Mejia would like to thank everyone on behalf of the Sons of the American Legion Post 155 for their help and support. Without the help of volunteers, the event wouldn't have been possible. To solidify their partnership, the American Legion officially adopted the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. "You're in my backyard and we're going to do anything we can to support you," Mejia told Dr. Riesen of the Pediatrics department.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 756

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1286

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 2751

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 825

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1690

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 754

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 815

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1968

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 870

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 680

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 958

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 866

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->