LAPD Officers Gather Toys for Kids at the 17th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive

Venice Beach, CA– On Sunday, December 8, 2024, the Venice Beach Recreation Center hosted the 17th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive, an event dedicated to spreading holiday cheer to children in need across Westside communities, including Venice, Culver City, Santa Monica, Oakwood, Westchester, and Marina del Rey. The drive ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and was a resounding success. Organized by Joe Wheatley Productions (JWP) and Icon Muscle in collaboration with **World Gym International**, the event brought together community members who donated new, unwrapped toys valued at $20 or more. The **Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division** collected the toys and delivered them to their “Winter Wonderland Distribution Drive” for distribution later in the week. Santa Claus, accompanied by his cheerful elves, made a grand entrance, escorted by LAPD officers in a decorated sled. Officers assisted with gathering the toys, loading them into police vehicles to ensure timely delivery for Christmas celebrations. The festive event featured holiday photo opportunities, product giveaways from Legendary Foods, and red carpet interviews. A special ceremony at honored the event’s sponsors, with City Councilwoman Traci Park presenting certificates of appreciation. Adding to the excitement, members of the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club arrived on their motorcycles, each bringing toy donations and contributing a monetary gift to support the cause. Event producer Joe Wheatley reflected on the day’s success, saying, “For 17 years, Muscle Beach Venice has partnered with the LAPD Pacific Division to support their Winter Wonderland Distribution Drive. These donations have a direct impact on the lives of children in our local neighborhoods. It’s heartwarming to see the community come together like this.” Limited-edition event T-shirts were sold during the drive, with proceeds going toward the cause. With an abundance of holiday spirit and strong community support, the 17th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive proved to be a memorable and impactful event for children across the region.