By Mary O’KEEFE

The spirit of giving was celebrated around the Crescenta Valley last weekend with many events that focused on supporting others and sharing with friends.

On Friday afternoon volunteers from The Balcony of LA partnered with Los Angeles County Parks to create a California winter wonderland at Crescenta Valley Park. There was a lot to do including visiting with Santa, taking part in a toy giveaway, playing in a bounce house, playing games, watching holiday movies and eating holiday food.

Members of The Balcony of LA Rob Chitwood and Teri “Maddie” Madsen and SHADDSTONE, a Balcony sponsor and local artist, volunteered their time and helped organize the event. Chitwood brought and set up the sound system, screen, computer and movie while Madsen organized all the food. Hundreds of tamales were dished out to park visitors, according to Madsen, with Harmony Farms giving the organization a discounted price for the purchase of the tamales.

Madsen wanted to thank Walsh Creek Carvalho, who donated a snow machine for the occasion, as well as all the teen volunteers from local schools.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. donated hundreds of bags of food that were given to those in need along with toys donated by the department and the community.

The Balcony donated toys as well; some Santa handed out and others were used for an opportunity drawing.

Madsen estimated over 500 people attended the event.

Later that night the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Crescenta Valley Garegin Njdeh Juniors continued its toy donation tradition of over 10 years by giving to the Spark of Love Glendale Fire Station 29 at 2465 Honolulu Ave. The youth members donated three large bins and several boxes full of toys, estimated to contain more than 400 toys, to the firefighters.

“We love the support,” said GFD Capt. Dodds. He added the toys that were donated would be sent to GFD Station 21 at 421 Oak St. where they would be organized and then shared with children in need.

Dodds said the community has been generous and the stations will take toys any time throughout the year. The toys collected during the holidays are to help Santa with his deliveries but at other times firefighters, and many in law enforcement, carry toys with them to help young victims they respond to all year long.

The AYF CV Garegin Nijdeh Juniors members were happy to donate the toys and were pleased with all that was collected. These kids showed they cared for those less fortunate, and showed how positive volunteering and helping others can be.

Later, on Saturday night, American Legion Post 288, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 and Glendale Moose Lodge No. 641 held its annual Christmas dinner. They continued the spirit of giving by collecting toys donated by dinner guests. The toys were donated to the LASD Crescenta Valley Station.

Veterans and their families are generous to many non-profit organizations during the year. Among the many things they do is support and organize bingo fundraisers that help non-profit organizations help others. They are always generous to those in need, especially veterans, and are boots on the ground volunteers to organizations like Prom Plus.

Photos provided by Dick CLUBB, Mary O’KEEFE and The Balcony of LA