By Mary O’KEEFE

The image of children running to presents waiting under the tree is part of the holidays; however, for some the presents are not part of the season.

These children are at the forefront of the minds of those at Kobeissi Properties. They want to make sure there are gifts waiting for these children and, to that end, host an annual holiday toy drive.

“The main reason I have [the toy drive] is to give to the less fortunate,” said Dan Kobeissi.

This is the fifth annual holiday toy drive sponsored by the company. New unwrapped toys will be collected through Dec. 22 at the Kobeissi Properties offices at 711 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada and at 2429 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose. Toys can also be brought to Cars and Coffee, a gathering of car enthusiasts, at the La Cañada location on Dec. 6 between 9 a.m. and noon.

Kobeissi now leads the team at the Montrose location of Kobeissi Properties. He is excited about being “back home.”

“[I spent my] childhood here in Montrose,” he said. “Being here brings back a lot of memories like the upcoming Montrose Christmas Parade, and Santa walking down Honolulu Avenue.”

It is those happy memories of growing up in Montrose and realizing how fortunate he and his family have been that fuels his desire to help others through the holiday toy drive.

The toys will be donated to St. Jude’s Hospital and to organizations that help those from low-income families.

  Mary Okeefe