Christmas in Crenshaw brings gifts, food and community support

Special Needs Network and Assemblymember Isaac Bryan held the annual Christmas Care Exchange on Santa Rosalia Drive near the Crenshaw Family YMCA, distributing toys, food and resources to local families.

Special Needs Network partnered with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and the 54th District to host the annual Christmas Care Exchange on Santa Rosalia Drive near the Crenshaw Family YMCA. The free community event included Santa Claus, food, toys, health screenings, arts and crafts, music and a community resource fair. Organizers reported thousands of toys, hundreds of boxes of food, and about 4,000 wrapped presents prepared by volunteers. SNN has staged holiday outreach in the community for 15 years and has partnered with Assemblymember Bryan for five years, moving this season from Leimert Park to the larger street location. Key details: - Location: Santa Rosalia Drive between Marlton Avenue and Buckingham Road, at the Crenshaw Family YMCA. - Items distributed: organizers reported thousands of toys, hundreds of boxes of food, and roughly 4,000 wrapped presents. - Services on site: health screenings, holiday food distribution, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, music by DJ Qwess Coast, dancing, and a community resource fair. - Eligibility and distribution: toys were available for children up to age 18; children had to be present and gifts were given on a first-come, while-supplies-last basis. - Community involvement: hundreds of volunteers from the community helped wrap presents over the week leading up to the event. - Program history: SNN has hosted holiday outreach for 15 years and has worked with Assemblymember Bryan for five years. Summary: The Christmas Care Exchange provided material support and celebratory programming aimed at uplifting underserved families and families of children with disabilities in the Crenshaw district. Undetermined at this time.