Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
Special to Valley News
The Soboba Gives Back program had a busy holiday season, distributing approximately 5,000 toys to children and families throughout the San Jacinto Valley. The San Jacinto and Hemet unified school districts benefited from Unstuff the Bus events presented by the Soboba Foundation, while numerous local nonprofits, Tribal organizations and neighboring Tribes also received toys for holiday celebrations.
The effort began Dec. 8 at the Soboba Springs Golf Course, where more than 20 volunteers unpacked a truckload of toys delivered from the Walmart Supercenter in Beaumont. Sponsorship Coordinator Andrew Vallejos said the Beaumont store played a key role in streamlining the process by discounting toys, organizing orders by age group, and handling warehouse distribution. This marked the first year of partnership between Soboba and the Beaumont Walmart.
Volunteers spent several days sorting toys by age and recipient to ensure smooth pickups. Soboba Foundation Secretary Joseph Placencia said this year stood out for the level of volunteer support, including help from the Soboba Fire Department and the Soboba Department of Parks and Recreation.
That evening, about 150 volunteers gathered at the San Jacinto Unified School District for the 12th annual Unstuff the Bus event. Approximately 800 toys were passed hand-to-hand from a school bus into a warehouse, later to be distributed to families identified by school site liaisons. Superintendent David Pyle thanked Soboba for its ongoing support, calling the program a powerful reminder of the Tribe’s commitment to the community.
Soboba Foundation President Andy Silvas and Tribal leaders also expressed appreciation for the volunteers and emphasized the importance of giving back during the holidays. The following days included additional toy pickups by nonprofits, Tribal groups, and surrounding Tribes at the Soboba Springs Golf Course.
On Dec. 10, another Unstuff the Bus event took place at Tahquitz High School, where a Soboba bus delivered 1,000 toys for Hemet Unified School District families. Students, volunteers, and law enforcement helped unload the toys. District officials praised Soboba’s generosity, noting the meaningful impact on families during the holiday season.
Vallejos said all events ran smoothly and efficiently, adding that seeing so many volunteers come together to support local children was the most rewarding part of the effort. Joseph Placencia summed it up simply: the program helps ensure that children who might otherwise go without have a gift to open on Christmas morning.
