Boxers at Hollenbeck’s “Miracle on 1st Street” Toy Giveaway
Giving jolly Ol’ St. Nick a helping hand at the recent 28th Annual “Miracle on 1st Street” were boxers Israel Vazquez and Daniel Ponce De Leon. This yearly toy giveaway, hosted by Inner-City Games L.A. (ICGLA), Hollenbeck Youth Center (HYC) and the Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, has always been one of my favorite events and a great way to close out the year.
In this exclusive report from the North Pole (at the Hollenbeck gym’s holiday headquarters), here are some highlights from the party that was held last weekend in Boyle Heights, California.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California, got the day off to a grand start by first thanking everyone, including the hosts, the Daniel L. Hernandez family. “Danny is one of the most generous and giving people,” raved Schwarzenegger. “His whole family is too.”
The Austrian-born bodybuilder, actor and politician also related to the audience why he continues to give 
back to his adopted homeland, explaining how others helped him out when he was new to the country. The “Terminator” superstar spoke of “the generosity of the people of California” who assisted him “so I can get going here in America.”
“I never forgot it. And part of me is to give back to those who are struggling,” Schwarzenegger told those assembled on the crowded gym floor. “And this gift–this toy drive–is what it’s all about.”
And what it was about was the fact that a whopping 10,000 toys were handed out to needy families throughout the Southland. And it really is a family affair and a labor of love for Danny Hernandez, President of HYC and founder of ICGLA, his wife Beatrice, ICGLA Director, and their daughter Priscilla Hernandez Muñoz, Co-Chair of “Miracle” and Vice President of HYC. The family has been a force in the community, and have held these toy drives in hope of providing a better and brighter Christmas for the thousands of underprivileged children in attendance.
Also joining Schwarzenegger on stage were emcee Dax Shepard, new Police Chief Charlie Beck, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Councilman Jose Huizar, Judge Scott Millington, Board of Directors Josh Valdez, Dan Kinney, and fighters Vazquez and Ponce De Leon.
Hernandez and the board members were then surprised onstage with a check presented by OneWest Bank for $25,000. Named as one of the “Angel Sponsors,” the bank states in the official program handed out, “We believe in miracles.” No doubt, this gift will provide many more miracles in the future.
Danny Hernandez gave thanks and appreciation to all of the many sponsors and volunteers that worked together to keep their tradition going. During this recession, no contribution is too small. L.A. Chief of Police Beck also showed gratitude to the countless individuals who helped make the event happen. He encouraged the crowd by saying that “by supporting the youth, you get paid back 1,000 times.”
Fighters Vazquez (44-4, 3 KOs) and Ponce De Leon (37-2, 31 KOs) took part in the “Main Event” of the day: 
Delivering toys to the outstretched hands of boys and girls who lined the streets leading into the gym.
Former two-time super bantamweight champ Vazquez will be fighting in downtown L.A. on May 22 at the Staples Center–his fourth war against Rafael Marquez. He’s a fan favorite, not only for his fierceness inside the ropes but also for his friendly and kind nature outside the ropes. Greeting the boxer, I remembered to wish him an early “¡Feliz Cumpleaños!” Israel, a Christmas baby, celebrates his birthday on December 25.
Next to him was former WBO Super Bantamweight Champ Ponce De Leon. The southpaw said he’s looking to get back in the ring early next year. He and Vazquez cheerfully posed with all the fight fans who approached them.
The two warriors stood toe to toe with Schwarzenegger as they began the long-anticipated gift distribution. Izzy and Ponce met the kids with just the right toy that Santa had picked out for each little boy and girl. Helping the families beat the holiday blues, the sluggers kept busy placing the early Christmas gift into the eager hands of the children.
During Saturday’s festivities, the gym (where Olympians De La Hoya and Paul Gonzales got their early starts) was turned into Santa’s Workshop with toys galore piled high, surrounding Santa’s sleigh that held even more toys donated by the organization and their sponsors.
Whether they were naughty or nice, each youngster got their share of the colorful bounty collected including skateboards, dolls, large stuffed animals, basketballs, deluxe play sets and more. Amidst the piles of presents were several several shiny, new bicycles that were presented to a few of the luckiest tykes. As they rode out of the gym on their spiffy new wheels, the kids couldn’t hide their big grins from the crowd.
It was an afternoon that helped bring some joy and some relief to so many families affected by these tough 
economic times. As the lines of kids snaked around the gym and continued through the streets of East L.A., all of Santa’s helpers continued to dole out toys and surprises to kids of all ages, from babies to young teens. The longs remained long even as the stacks of toys were whittled down.
For the thousands of children, their toy from the “Miracle on 1st Street” may be their only gift of the season. Even though families are discouraged from waiting in the line overnight, Monica Mendoza wanted to guarantee her spot in line. To make sure her son Ruben had a Christmas present, she was the very first one in line at 8 a.m. The toys were scheduled to be handed out at 10 a.m. “So you’ve been waiting for a couple of hours?” I inquired as she introduced me to her 10-year-old son. “No,” she laughed. “I started waiting in line 8 a.m.–YESTERDAY!” That’s one dedicated mom who waited over 26 hours to make sure her little boy received a gift.
Making the wait go by a lot faster for the partygoers was plenty of live entertainment, including a mini-concert from “American Idol” finalist Brandon Rogers. The Top 12 finalist from season six sang several Christmas tunes that showcased his vocal range. “This is my first time at the event,” he tells me. “But I grew up not too far from the area. My dad still lives close by too, in Pasadena.” The singer says he had a blast helping out at the toy giveaway and I saw him hand out some “American Idol” toys to some delighted guests.
Popular L.A. radio station Hot 92.3 (Old School and R&B) held a four-hour live broadcast onsite from the gym as DJ Victor Zaragoza and the Red Hot Sports Report’s Damon Knight provided their listeners with all the happenings from the charity event. Hot 92.3 played a big role in the toy drive too–collecting toys from loyal listeners and donating over 1,600 toys that were given out last Saturday!
A Mariachi band featuring children also took the stage, as well as a dancing troupe made up of some tiny dancers from the JayVee Dance Performing Arts Center in nearby Alhambra. The talented group, named the Hula Hotties (ages four to eight), were decked out in festive red and green costumes as they took the stage for their Hawaiian routine. After their performance, they gathered around Ponce De Leon as the boxing champ congratulated the little girls on a job well done.
During the program funnyman and actor Dax Shepard introduced the HYC V.P. (and newlywed) Priscilla Hernandez Munõz to the crowd. Priscilla is a dedicated champion of the youth center; through the years, she has worked tirelessly to ensure Hollenbeck’s legendary “Miracle on 1st Street” continues. Taking the mike, she reminded everyone in the gym, “It doesn’t just stop here…there’s a full day out there on 1st Street for the kids with games, jumpers and more!”
That’s right…besides the toy giveaway in the gym, a real winter wonderland was waiting outside for the tots. Transforming 1st Street into a magical Santa Claus Lane, a large hill packed with snow was set up for the kiddies to roll around in. It may have been sunny and warm in SoCal, but the neighborhood tots got a chance to play in the snow and go sledding! Refreshments, games, jumping balloons, goodie bags and other activities were also set up to provide the youth a full day of fun. A skateboarding team was busy flying off vertical ramps set up in the street as bystanders admired their mid-air tricks. And for L.A.’s purple and gold fans, the Laker Girls were also available for photo ops with the fans.
Making my way around the gym and all of the booths and exhibits outside, the area was filled with throngs of youngsters taking in all the holiday hoopla surrounding them. One thing that always impresses me about these types of functions is the troops of individuals that volunteer their time, money or services. Many youth groups, schools and armed services provided groups of volunteers for the day, who stayed cheerful and patient while tending to the children.
Several of the board members had their family in tow to lend extra support at the annual giveaway. HYC Co-Chair George Castello brought his two sons to this year’s event. The trio got into the boxing spirit for a quick photo before heading back to assist Santa. Castello is also the Co-Chair of the Hollenbeck Police Business Council.
Board member Eugene Kazan had three generations of his family helping out at the toy giveaway. A spirited business man of the East L.A. community, he has watched Hollenbeck grow since the ’70s. Gene and his wife, Ellie, enjoy lending their support to the event along with some special Santa’s elves. “My daughter and one of my twin granddaughters are helping pass out toys,” the proud patriarch mentions to us.
Another person who donated time and services was Rachel Cota, a longtime supporter of both the HYC and ICGLA. She and her company, Simply Fab Events, set up rows of chairs, tables and VIP ropes around the stage. With her cute daughter Tahlia by her side, Rachel watched the wide-eyed excited kids swarm around the biggest VIP there–Santa Claus.
It was clear in their young, innocent eyes that they really do believe in Santa.
And maybe this is the best “miracle” that the day provides them.
Maybe it’s not just the toy they take home…maybe it’s that hope and spirit kept alive by the holidays?
For the littlest ones, Hollenbeck’s “Miracle on 1st Street” allows their belief to linger just a little bit longer.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
Photos by Michele Chong and Steve Harpst