Toys for Tots 2018 at the Sapphire Room featuring Gerry and the Dreambanders was a rousing success. Hosted by the Riverside Hotel and the Sapphire Room for the fifth time, emceed by chef/caterer/comedian Pat Mac and assisted by the United States Marine Corps, along with the generous donations from many local businesses and individuals, the Toys for Tots 2018 at the Sapphire Room event on December 7 went a long way to ensure that many local kids will have a happy and merry Christmas.
Lynda Johnson, part of the ownership and management team at the Riverside Hotel said, Mike Wallace and the U.S. Marines have brought Toys for Tots to The Sapphire Room for the last five years, and it has grown every year. This year, they provided gifts for 650 children and cash in amount of $1350.Â
I am always moved by the positive effect the event has on not only vulnerable children in our community, but also on the attendees and our employees. Nothing else brings the Christmas spirit in such a big way. People from all walks of life gather together for one evening to enjoy music and bring some Christmas cheer to children. I can’t think of anything better than that!.
Mike Wallace, singer/guitarist and founder of both Gerry and the Dreambenders and the annual Toys for Tots Concert at the Sapphire Room, said I want to acknowledge Sgt. Shaun Nichols, who is the Marine in charge of the “Toys For Tots”, locally and has been our contact for all the time we’ve been hooked up with the USMC…he’s a marvel, but he’s moving up, so this is the last one for him. We couldn’t have had a better partner than Sgt Nichols. We love him.
The generosity of the guests that filled the Sapphire Room to capacity was also very visible. By the time guests left, they walked through the exit with toys piled on both sides as well as a beautiful Fender Squier Stratocaster guitar, all donated for the event. A smiling Emilee Bunker, manager of the Sapphire Room, beamed as she looked at all the donations including several bikes that were brought to the event. Many of the guests at Toys for Tots 2018 at the Sapphire Room who purchased raffle tickets also left happy, with items such as another Fender Squier Stratocaster donated by the Guitar Center in Boise, a cute stuffed dog wearing a Swarovski Crystal Snowman Pendant Necklace donated by Fred Meyer Jewelers and many other prizes.
One item that was a special add-on was a combination dinner and cooking class for the highest bidder and plenty of their friends, one of the several donations by Pat Mac. Spirited bidding ensued, guaranteeing that the high bidder not only got a great prize but also that the extra money would help even more local children. With great music, a wonderful place to enjoy it in and a good feeling of donating to a worthy cause, Toys for Tots 2018 at the Sapphire Room was a night to remember for everyone there.
Gerry and the Dreambenders Facebook Page
Boise Toys for Tots website
Pat Mac website
All photos by Ashton Wallace
