Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach hosts country’s biggest gift wrapping party

Long time Beach City Toy Drive gift wrappers Rebecca and Lauren Vaughn, and Dency Nelson are recognized by Beach Cities Toy Drive Cop-founder Sam Edgerton. Photo by Kevin Cody
For the past 30 years “The Best Little Beach City,” as Hermosa Beach has declared itself, has partnered with Manhattan Beach in hosting the country’s biggest holiday gift wrapping party. 

In the weeks leading up to the party, thousands of unwrapped gifts are donated by Hermosa and Manhattan residents at their respective city halls, and police and fire departments. This year’s wrapping party was held at the Hermosa Community Center basketball gym. The party is organized by the Beach Cities Toy Drive, founded by Hermosa Council Members Sam Edgerton and Gary Brutsch. Brutsch has passed on, but Edgerton carries on the tradition of recognizing the volunteer who has participated in the most gift wrapping parties. This year the honor went to Hermosa Beach resident Dency Nelson, who has attended each gift wrapping party since 2005.

Among the gifts wrapped were 30 boys and girls bicycles donated by Hermosa Cyclery, in memory of the downtown bike store’s founder Harold “Schu” Schumaker.

This year’s gift wrappers included the Hermosa Woman’s Club, and the staff of the South Central Family Health Center, whose patients will receive some of this year’s gifts. Other toy recipients this year include Richstone Family Center, St. Cross 1736 Crisis Center, the Salvation Army, and the Harbor UCLA Child Crisis Center. ER 

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