IEX Helicopters provide the transportation; deputies deal with the Grinch
An elf holds the toy bag as Santa delivers a gift.
IEX brought Santa and an elite team of elves to the Island. The Grinch lurked nearby but failed to steal this Christmas (he really needs a new tradition) because he was chased to the ocean.
The toy drive came off without a hitch
The second annual toy drive—co-sponsored by IEX Helicopters, the city of Avalon, the Avalon Sheriff’s Station, the Catalina Islander and our sister publication the Sun Newspapers—took place as scheduled on Friday, Dec. 16.
“I don’t have an exact count, but we had gifts coming in even while we were loading up the helicopters,” wrote Alex Dobi, business development manager for IEX.
“In the end, we filled up two Astar AS350 aircraft, so it was definitely around 2-300 toys. The Avalon Sheriff’s Station also donated a very generous amount of toys, even more than last year,” Dobi wrote.
Community Development Director David Hart gave slightly different numbers, citing a combination of toys from IEX and Southern California Edison.
“IEX gave out a ton of toys and the Heliport. 20 at the city to toddlers and we took half of what was left around 20 to give away with toys from SCE,” Hart wrote. During the Dec. 20 City Council meeting, Councilmember Michael Ponce said it was fun watching them come into town. “That was so cool,” he said.
The Grinch (who really needs a new holiday tradition) was run off.
Ponce liked that the Grinch showed up. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Capt. Matthew King told the council it was fun. He said he was looking forward to next year’s event.
