LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 2,000 children and family watched and shouted in anticipation as Santa Claus helicoptered in with the LAPD SWAT team to deliver holiday cheer and assorted presents at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children’s “Toys and Joy” celebration, held yesterday on OIC’s downtown Los Angeles campus. Now in its 28th year, this annual event has become a Los Angeles tradition and through the years has brought holiday joy to approximately 30,000 families throughout the community.
“This is the one day each year when Santa trades in his sleigh for a helicopter to bring a special element of delight to underserved children throughout our community,” said Anthony Scaduto, M.D., president and CEO of OIC. “For many of these children, these are the only presents they receive during the holidays; and we are so grateful to all of our corporate sponsors and caring individuals who have donated presents or played a role of any kind in helping to bring smiles to so many faces.”
As it does each year, OIC has been collecting presents throughout the year to distribute at yesterday’s celebration. Last month, for example, the LAPD SWAT team joined in the effort by encouraging community members to bring unwrapped presents to the Beverly Connection and help “Fill the B.E.A.R.” – SWAT’s Ballistic Engineered Armored Response vehicle. The presents gathered that day were part of Santa’s delivery at Toys and Joy.
Joining in yesterday’s festivities were a number of celebrities and surprise guests, including the LA Galaxy Star Squad, actor Christopher Gorham and Disney Channel stars Paxton Booth, DeVore Ledridge, Dakota Lotus, Rebecca Metz, Elie Samouhi, Olivia Sanabia, Maxwell Simkins and Ruby Rose Turner.
About Orthopaedic Institute for Children
Orthopaedic Institute for Children was founded in 1911 as Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital. Focused solely on musculoskeletal conditions in children, OIC receives more than 70,000 patient visits each year. In alliance with UCLA Health and with the support of the OIC Foundation, we advance pediatric orthopaedics worldwide through outstanding patient care, medical education and research. Our locations in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Westwood and Calexico treat the full spectrum of pediatric orthopaedic disorders and injuries. For more information, visit us at ortho-institute.org.
