First published in the Dec. 15 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
Photos by Larissa Althouse
The Outlook
Mijares Mexican Restaurant in Pasadena recently held their annual toy drive.
This tradition began 16 years ago as the restaurant’s partner and manager Tom Recendez decided that rather than receive gifts on his Dec. 1 birthday, he instead asked friends, family and patrons to participate in giving cheer to children in need through toy donations.
“We hope to surpass the 2,700 toys we collected last year,” Recendez said.
The Agency, a luxury real estate broker, made a large donation to the toy collection effort. Also contributing to the success of the toy drive included complimentary beer and tequila tastings by beverage vendors and a portion of earnings from participating food trucks.
The toys collected at Mijares Mexican Restaurant will be given to two charities, Regis House Community Center and Spark of Love, an annual toy drive sponsored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
