Pasadena Jaycees to Distribute Toys Under ‘Operation Santa’

The Pasadena Junior Chamber of Commerce’s annual toy drive will look different this year with social distancing precautions added, but the spirit of giving remains unchanged for more than eight decades.

Since 1934, the Pasadena Jaycees have purchased and gathered donated toys in advance of arranging a personal Christmas Eve visit from Santa Claus himself to deliver them to local children in need who sent letters to the organization.

To accommodate the ongoing pandemic, however, this year’s distribution will be contact free, the Jaycees said in a written statement.

“Children and families will submit their letters digitally and sign up for a time slot to pick up their toys via a contactless distribution setup,” the statement said. “Families will stay in their cars and be greeted by a mask-wearing Santa and hand-sanitized elves.”

Pasadena Jaycees President Nick Scott said he was glad to keep the tradition alive, even if it has been somewhat modified.

“After being forced to cancel a number of our annual community service projects this year, I am so pleased that we have been able to come up with a way to carry out Operation Santa in a safe manner during the current coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

The organization hoped to distribute more toys this year than ever before, representatives said.

“Additionally, this year Operation Santa will be placing special emphasis on providing children with STEAM toys, with the help of a generous grant from the Tournament of Roses Foundation,” according to the Jaycees’ statement.

Letters from potential recipient families must be submitted by Dec. 14 through opsanta.com.

Pickup times will be available on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 at the Pasadena Scottish Rite Center, 150 N. Madison Ave., organizers said.

More information on the Pasadena Jaycees is available online at pasadenajaycees.org .

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