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ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Brings Holiday Joy to Families through 27th Annual ‘Fontana Santas’ Toy Distribution

FUSD Board Members holding gift during Fontana Santas

FONTANA, CA – ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥’s (FUSD) headquarters parking lot once again transformed into a Southern California winter wonderland as it continued its tradition of spreading holiday cheer to local families in need during its 27th annual Fontana Santas toy distribution on Dec. 21.

For hours, a steady line of cars moved through the festive event picking up gifts of school supplies, food, books, and information on readily available community resources before lastly visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus, who handed out toys near their sleigh. 

Angel Ramirez, center, was joined by his mother as he began his four-year term on the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Board of Education

Volunteers of FUSD students, staff, and community members, including the entire Board of Education loaded each car up with gifts. For Elsie Avalos, who works in Maple Elementary School’s health office, it was a chance for her family to give back to the community as she volunteered alongside her daughters Joanna and Isabella.

“I just love seeing the happy faces, it is wonderful we can do this together,” said Elsie, whose daughter Isabella is a fifth-grader at Maple Elementary while Joanna graduated from Jurupa Hills High School in 2022 and currently attends Cal State San Bernardino. “We were counting the days until this event. I love when the girls come with me, they see there are those who are less fortunate out there, it’s a reminder we are lucky with what we have.”

ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥’s Board of Education restructured ahead of the new year as it welcomed two new members

Fontana Santas is hosted in partnership with the Fontana School Police Department (FSPD), Fontana Teachers Association, United Steelworkers Local 8599, the Fontana Foundation of Hope, Fontana School Police Officers Association, Fontana Management Association, and more.

Donations of toys and other essential items were collected throughout the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community for a month-and-a-half leading up to the event, with drop-off locations at the Fontana School Police Department and at all FUSD school campuses. 

Fontana Santas dates to 1997 when Fontana School Police learned a Fontana boy ran away from home after Christmas because he did not receive any presents. Since then, the Fontana School Police Department and ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Employees have collected toys and donations from local organizations and delivered them to students during the holidays, creating a treasured tradition that has provided toys to thousands of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ students over the last 27 years.

“Fontana Santas is a day all of us at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ have circled on our calendars every year,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “We cannot thank our staff, students, and community partners for making this celebration possible year after year. It is an event that not only spreads holiday cheer but reinforces our identity here at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, showcasing the incredible generosity and unity of our community.”