Not Every Hero Wears a Cape, Some Red and White

Updated: January 6, 2022

December 23rd, 2021 — Toys for Tots has been something that Felix de Anda has been doing for 19 years now. He explains that they’ve been doing this since December of 2002. And says that his wife was his biggest supporter. He explains that when he had the idea to pass out gifts to those in need, his wife, Alma Delia de Anda was all for helping him with his goal.

Toys for Tots would go to the “Los Castigados Car Club & Land Cruisers” event, where they would have a box for gift donations. There, people at the event could donate unwrapped gifts or toys, and if they didn’t have any, they could also give a monetary contribution, having all the donations go towards the gifts for kids in need. And they realized that it made the kids so much more excited when they would wrap the presents. So Felix’s wife, Mrs. de Anda, would spend the time wrapping all the gifts to give the kids the experience of opening the presents.

Mrs. de Anda sadly passed on this past February, Felix says that she was as beautiful as she was in her youth. He loved her very much. And though there weren’t as many presents as the previous years, nevertheless he wrapped all the presents, put on the Santa suit, and spread the wonderful joy he knows best.

And Joy he brought! Some of these kids were so excited. One, in particular, was very excited exclaiming, “It’s Santa!” with such excitement in his eyes when he got out to greet Santa. Johnny V., a part-owner of J & J’s Racing, remarked on the kid’s comment saying, “And that’s the best part of it, that the kids are happy.”

Felix thanks all who donated to make these kids’ holidays a little extra special, some even donating canned foods. He says, “It’s turned out good… and I feel blessed”