Hundreds of people began lining up early Christmas Day at the Yucca Valley Community Center for “Mara’s Christmas Wish,” an enthusiastic volunteer effort to continue the selfless work of Mara Cantelo’s “Tender Loving Christmas” event. Mara was lost to the communities of the Morongo Basin earlier this year; dozens of dedicated volunteers stepped up to continue the annual tradition. Cantelo started Tender Loving Christmas, TLC, 34 years ago to make sure no one would be alone or hungry on Christmas. The volunteers kept her legacy alive and kept it going this first year after her passing. The dinner took place Christmas Day from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Food was provided by Bruce’s Coyote Kitchen, The Roost Café, and the Way Station, and was served to the hundreds of attendees. A room at the Yucca Valley Community Center was overflowing with donated clothing. In another room, Santa Claus, helped by Yucca Valley firefighters, passed out toys for hours to area children. Renee Faller, the volunteer in charge of the donated toys, said 450 children received bags of toys, valued at $6,000, from Santa and his firefighter helpers. One attendee said, “It was a wonderful event, all the volunteers were friendly, and the Christmas decorations looked beautiful.” Another said, “Mara might be gone, but never forgotten, She is looking down at us with a big smile.”
Volunteers are still needed to help clean up the after the event so Mara’s Christmas Wish can continue next year. Volunteers should go to the Yucca Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center to help.
