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INNER-CITY GAMES LOS ANGELES, ,
HOLLENBECK YOUTH CENTER
OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION.....PRESENTS..MIRACLE ON 1st STREET




‘Miracle on First Street’ Features Toys, Technology

EGP News Service

Santa left the North Pole and made a special stop in Boyle Heights Dec. 15, and gave out gifts to thousands of lucky kids as part of the 26th annual “Miracle on First Street” toy giveaway.

“I like when Santa came in a Hummer,” laughed Valerie Conde, 14, who was among the throng in the streets in front of the Hollenbeck Youth Center at 2015 1st Street, where the event was held.

In addition to Santa, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor Tom Arnold, basketball star Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Laker Girls were also on hand for the popular event.

Schwarzenegger helped cut the ribbon for the center’s new state-of-the-art Time Warner Technology Center, which will offer kids after-school computer training.

The event was organized by the Inner-City Games, Hollenbeck Youth Center, Hollenbeck Police Department, and the Oscar de la Hoya Foundation. Four city blocks were closed off to accommodate the lines of children and parents who turned out for the free holiday treats.

Gabby Covarrubias, 19, said she and her friends start planning their strategy for grabbing a good place in line weeks ahead of time.

“We come every year around four in the morning — it’s worth it,” said Covarrubias, who snagged two pairs of new sneakers in addition to toys for her two-year-old daughter Ayleen Gaytan.

Danny Hernandez, founder and CEO of the youth center, said the goal of the annual giveaway is about more than just giving kids a toy for the holiday.

“These are at-risk kids taking away a message deeper than Christmas,” Hernandez said. “They’re taking a message of love and life that will propel them to look at being good citizens in the future.”

The photo on the home page features Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold haning out presents to children during the Miracle on 1st Street Christmas toy giveaway.