Local military families got some holiday cheer Wednesday.
The Armed Forces YMCA held its annual "Operation Holiday Joy" to distribute toys to children.
“We’ll have roughly 4,000 toys go out, about 50 to 80 bikes, and we’re going to be sending toys to families on the waiting list and to sailors and Marines up at 29 Palms as well,” said Tim Ney, executive director of the Armed Forces YMCA.
Over three hours, the bikes and toys were passed out to 1,000 families at the Murphy Canyon Chapel.
The drive was focused on junior enlisted members of the military.
This is the 31st year for the event, but it looked a bit different this time because of COVID-19. Organizers staged a socially distant drive-thru. Still, the spirit remained the same.
“This is about brightening the holidays for our military families,” Ney said. “They can put these toys right under their tree.”
