Poway Gives Back: Christmas in the Park, YMCA Toy Drive and More

By Bill Stoudenmire

The magic of an old fashioned Christmas returns to Old Poway Park on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Christmas in the Park is free with plenty of holiday things to see and do. 

Giving back and joining the City of Poway in putting on this year's event are the volunteer based organizations of the Old Poway Park Action Committee, Old Poway Village, Francis Ralph Potograpiya, Home Depot of Poway, Neal Electric and Walter Anderson Nursery.

This year free shuttles will make it easier to get to and from your car. They will be at the Park and Ride lot at Community and Twin Peaks and a second shuttle at the Poway Adult School, 13626 Twin Peaks Road. Shuttles will begin at 3 p.m. and make their final run from the park at 9 p.m.

Between 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., free horse-drawn hayrides down Midland will be available. There will be a petting zoo, face painting, vintage Legos and dolls on display, hand-crafted holiday gifts available for purchase, ride the steam locomotive for a small fee, holiday sweets and warm dinner foods, live music and more. Play old-fashioned games at the Nelson House. 

The community tree lighting will be at 5:15 p.m. and Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. via locomotive. They'll be available for photos in Santa's Village.

For more information about Christmas in the Park, you can call (858) 668-4576. 

Again this year, the Poway Women's Club will in the park with spiced mocha and gingerbread for sale as well as Santa hats. For information on that call Barb at (858) 748-4492.

YMCA Holiday Toy Drive

Donate to the YMCA Holiday Toy Drive and help bring smiles to the faces of over 5,000 kids this year. 

Bring unwrapped toys to the Rancho Family YMCA, located at 9410 Fairgrove Lane off Black Mountain in Rancho Penasquitos, between now and Dec. 11. Toys must be appropriate for children ages infant to 17. 

Get more information by calling (858) 484-8788.

Soroptimist Little Black Dress Event

Soroptimist International of Poway, whose mission is to move moms and kids away from abusive situations, is holding it's annual Little Black Dress Holiday Shopping event this Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Shop for jewelry at Brighton Collectibles and Fashions at Soma Intimates in Westfield North County Mall during that time. Mention “Soroptimists” and 10% of your purchase will go directly to the club. 

Email Tanya at 4tanyalewis@gmail.com for more information.

Gently Hugged

We mentioned this a few weeks ago but the non-profit Gently-Hugged is still in need of new and used baby clothing to be distributed to military, low-income and immigrant families in our community. 

Collection bins are at Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool, 14280 Poway Rd., and at Roots Hair Salon, 11671 Duenda Rd. in R.B. The website is www.gentlyhugged.org.