One of the biggest charity events and Toy Drives in Sylmar is about to get underway to raise money for firefighters.

It’s all in a days work for LAFD fire crews to save homes, save lives and even put their own lives on the line. Firefighters rush to the scene and lug their gear as they battle wildfires in the scorching heat. They never hesitate to do what it takes to rescue trapped people in car wrecks and they run into burning homes to save anyone inside.

That’s why a local golf group is dedicated to giving something back to fire crews as a way of thanking them as well as helping the department collect toys for children.
The El Cariso Golf Club’s annual “Toys for Needy Children Golf Tournament” will be in full swing Saturday, December 2nd at the El Cariso Golf Course on Eldridge Avenue.
The club is a 501 (c) non-profit organization comprised of men and women who golf at the El Cariso County course and who are dedicated to supporting the community.
The group has been raising money and collecting toys for the LAFD for the past 39 years.

“I didn’t realize how much of an impact we made until three years ago, that’s the first time I went to hand deliver that check for $10,000,” said committee co-chairman Frank Rodriguez. “I got a first hand look at Toy Central. It’s incredible. They (the firefighters) showed us how everything is distributed, from packing the toys, putting them into age groups and gender. Then the toys go to different fire stations,” Rodriguez said.

The “Toys for Needy Children Tournament” is arguably the club’s most fun day of golf all year. It includes activities and contests throughout the course, a cash prize “ball drop” from a firefighter ladder truck, silent auction, raffle prizes and food. Event organizers say you don’t need to be a golfer or club member to lend your support.

“The more the community gets involved with monetary or prize donations, the more it helps us out,” Rodriquez said. “Whether it’s donating sodas, water or buying raffle tickets, everything adds up.”

Club members raise money through raffles, tournament fees and sponsorships. Yearly sponsors include: Mitchell Environmental Concrete of Sun Valley, Jade, Inc. of Mission Hills and the House of Brews in San Fernando. Budweiser has also been a longtime sponsor. Hamer Toyota of Mission Hills generously donates a car for a “hole-in-one” prize.

“Two years ago one of our members actually won a car. Everyone was so excited when he got a hole-in-one at the 14th hole.” said El Cariso Club President Tony Ayala.

Event organizers are always looking for sponsors, whether it’s a $100 hole sponsorship which features a sign on the golf course; a food or beverage donation; or an item to raffle. All the proceeds go to the LAFD. The fundraising committee are all volunteers and there are no adminstrative costs. Every year the El Cariso Golf Club donates $1,000 for start up expenses.

LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas, assistant chiefs and other personnel have participated in the tournament to raise money for the department. Last year Chief Terrazas opened the tournament by telling the golfers how much the department appreciates their efforts. He thanked them for all the years they’ve raised money for the department.

Even students from L.A. Mission College in Sylmar are involved. The “Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society” spearheads a campus toy drive. They place decorated boxes throughout campus where students and staff donate new, unwrapped toys. The students deliver the toys to the course on tournament morning. They also volunteer helping with various tournament contests.

“It shows us how we can help other people,” said Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society President Jocelyn Rodriguez. “I know we’re helping the fire department get toys for the kids, we’re helping the golf club members and the golf commitee. I know they need all hands on deck and it’s really helping the community.”

Volunteers are quick to point out that every year many children wake up on Christmas morning without presents from Santa. That’s why the El Cariso Golf Club collects toys for the LAFD’s annual toy drive. Firefighters pick up the toys the morning of the tournament, load them into vans and take them to a warehouse known as, “Toy Central” in downtown L.A. The toys are sorted and checked to make sure they’re safe for distribution. They are given to needy children to open on Christmas. The toys are also distributed year round. Fire crews often give families with children toys after they’ve experienced a fire, medical scare or other frightening emergency throughout the year.

If you’d like to help the fire crews and children in need, you can send a monetary donation to the El Cariso Golf Club, Attn: Toy Drive El Cariso Golf Course 13100 Eldridge Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342. You can also drop off a raffle prize donation or a toy at the golf course.