The Toys for Tots 2022 Concert, to be held at the Sapphire Room in the Riverside Hotel, located in Boise/Garden City. The Riverside Hotel has been a landmark in Boise for years. Located right on the Boise River and Greenbelt, it is not only a signature hotel in the area but also houses the Sapphire Room, one of the top music venues in the area and the Sandbar, an excellent outdoor music venue right on the Greenbelt. Lynda Johnson and her family have owned it for several years, turning it not only into one of Boise’s best hotels, but also one of the premier music presentation locations in Idaho.
Gerry and the Dreambenders is well known in the Treasure Valley and beyond as the Northwest’s only Genuine British Invasion-Era Rock and Roll Tribute Show. The band specializes in the music of the early to mid 60’s British Invasion-Era bands, such as the Hollies, the Rolling Stones, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Beatles and the Kinks. Into this mix, they include American music from the same era from groups such as the Byrds, (Idaho’s own) Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Turtles and the Lovin’ Spoonful. There’s even some Tom Petty mixed in just for a little variety! They have been a popular Treasure Valley band for many years, playing at such varied events as the High Desert Harley-Davidson rides, the Nampa Festival of the Arts, the Emmett Show and Shine Car Show and many times at the Sapphire Room.
The band consists of Mike Wallace (lead vocals, guitar and harmonica), Dave Owens (drums, vocals and good cheer), Jack Hourcade (bass and sometimes vocals), Ken McAtee (vocals, lead guitar).All dress in the popular band style of the 60s; with vintage suits and thin ties. They even carry the theme on to their instruments, which include vintage Rickenbacker, Fender and Gretsch guitars, a set of classic Rogers drums and Vox amplifiers.
The Marine Corps’ “Toys For Tots” program is renowned for making Christmas a lot brighter for less fortunate children since the 1940’s. Local Boise Marines will be collecting the toy and cash donations and seeing that it is distributed it to many needy children in the local area. This is one of many local and national events that the United States Marine Corps participates in. Staff Sergeant Nicolas Garcia is going on his second year spearheading Boise’s Toys for Tots 2022 Concert. Last year, the 8th Annual Toys For Tots event in Boise provided enough gifts for 13, 000 kids.
Emcee for the evening will be Ken Harris, who also emcees concerts regularly as part of his position on the Board of the Boise Blues Society. Ken is also known through his performing on keyboards, piano, accordion and even melodica with his bands such as the Hoochie Coochie Men, Blues Directors and the Quirky quarantine Quorum. Ken also host one of the popular shows on KRBX’s MondayNight Blues Block. The show can be heard on KRBX (KRBX 89.9/93.5fm). He’s very entertaining and will really liven up the evening.
The Boise Beat recently attended a meeting with Mike Wallace, Lynda Johnson and Staff Sergeant Garcia where they discussed their plans for the upcoming event, to be held Friday, December 9, 2022. In a roundtable discussion, they told The Boise Beat about the reasons behind their participation and other things about what the Toys for Tots 2022 Concert means to them here in Boise.
Lynda Johnson: I Think the Toys for Tots event is important, because it’s a way to actually show individuals that somebody cares about them. For example, when somebody sends a donation to a far-away organization with a check or a credit card, those individuals may not get the feeling that somebody personally cares about them as an individual. But when somebody goes out shopping and purchases a toy for a specific child, that child receives a toy on Christmas morning, and hopefully always remembers that somebody cared enough to actually purchase a toy so they could have a happy Christmas. I think that’s something that could last their whole life and make an impact. It’s that kind of giving that is very important for the giver and for the receiver.
SSgt. Garcia: To piggyback off what Lynda said, all monetary donations and toy donations stay here in Idaho. They don’t leave this area. So any donations that are made are not going to a different state. They’re staying right in this community. So our community is supporting our children.
Mike Wallace: During my childhood, there were times when my parents were doing very well, but that wasn’t something I knew. All I knew was that my Christmas was pretty full. And there were other Christmases when things weren’t quite as full of gifts. I had big Christmases and I had Christmases that were pretty disappointing. When you have those disappointing Christmases, you come away thinking, “this friend over here…..”. That’s a bad feeling, but the worst feeling is being a dad, or a mom; and not being able to provide the Christmas that you know you would like your child to have. It’s heartbreaking to me that kids go to school, and they have to pretend that they got something because their friends are all bright and happy. Or, they just suffer through it and their parents know that’s what’s going on and it’s heartbreaking.
The Toys for Tots program is an opportunity for those parents to send their kids off to school and not be embarrassed, and to know that; like Lynda said, that somebody out there does care. They know that their parents love them, but those times when my Christmases were ‘scant’—-I know my parents loved me, I knew there was a reason, but that was still disappointing. I remember one time when I had a ‘57 Chevy Wagon. I was 17, and I got quite a few gifts that year, and every one had to do something with that car. Jumper cables, seat covers…..and I shouldn’t even admit this, but I took all those things out to the car on Christmas night. I gathered them all up, went out to my car, opened the door and tossed them in there. I went around the front of my car, looked at it and said, “Merry Christmas!”. But I had some really good Christmases, and I’ve got two children of my own (well, not quite ‘children now’) and as they were growing up, there were times when I could afford a big Christmas and times when there were not a lot of toys and gifts under the tree. I guess that stuck in my throat a little bit, and so when we do this, it makes me feel better.
This is my favorite thing we do all year! You guys provide the vehicle that gets this done. We’re not just shoveling this off into a pile somewhere and hoping somebody does the right thing. We know that you guys are doing the right thing. That’s why we don’t touch any of the money. The raffle items—100% of that goes direct to you because we know you’ll do the right thing. Lynda, just to provide the room, that’s a huge gift to us anyways. You always take good care of us, plus it’s the best room for music in the state at least! I haven’t been to every one, but nobody’s told me I’m wrong!
Mike Wallace: From Gerry and the Dreambenders point of view, there’s no better partnership. This is a three-way partnership and it’s seamless, largely because we’ve carried on these events lately in a really bad situation, and I spoke with Lynda and she didn’t hesitate—just said, Yeah! When do you want to do it?”. Not there hasn’t been a hiccup in nine years. Its been beautifully done, the management and staff of this place are as good as it gets. Once we’re done playing, we’re done; and the Marines have the hard lift after that. Really, all we do is play some music. We’re just kids! When we’re on stage playing a song by the Hollies, I’m sixteen years old again. It’s a gift to me! You guys work your rear ends off; and all we do is show up and play! And I turn sixteen again! That’s my story.
SSgt. Garcia: The partnership is great. I got here [Boise] in August of 2020. I remember the Marines talking about this event, and I thought, “Alright…I was the new guy so I didn’t get invited to the pool”. I was taught about events, many different ones; and they were all good. I didn’t know until last year, when Mike called me and said, “This is what we’ve got going on, and I want to meet you”. It was a hit, right off the bat, standing out with my Marines, collecting toys—it was amazing!”. With Ms. Johnson, supplying the venue, it was awesome. This goes off, because we are able to work off each other and make this happen for the community. We couldn’t do it without Ms. Johnson and Mr. Wallace. So I want to thank both of you!
Lynda Johnson: Well thank you too! I would say, who wouldn’t want to host this event? This is the spirit of Christmas, in one evening. It really is! Our staff loves to work on this event; and Mike Wallace has a heart of gold. He did this event before I knew him and I think he brings his spirit and his energy to it. And seeing the Marines, standing there in their beautiful uniforms, with all their dignity in helping children and all their work helping to distribute the gifts to the children, and everyone who gives the gifts knows that that honor is behind the giving of those gifts. It’s just a magical event, it works well. We love working together. Truly, it’s the key to the spirit of Christmas, the whole staff feels that. We love this event; and having it here.
Mike Wallace: Nothing is more impressive than some Marines standing at the door, in full dress and collecting toys.
Lynda Johnson: Surrounded by toys and Teddy bears! It’s just a wonderful thing!
Mike Wallace: It’s the Marines holding Teddy bears—it’s an amazing sight. We always like to think that we’re the best-dressed guys in the room, until this night. Then we have to take a back seat to these guys, every time!
The Toys for Tots 2022 Concert still has some seating available for the upcoming concert. To make a reservation, either go to the Sapphire Room’s Eventbrite event reservation page, or call the Sapphire room at (208) 331-4931. Admission is free, with a donation requested for admittance. The donation can be a new, unwrapped toy or a monetary (check only) donation. In past years, the donations ranged for toys, stuffed animals, balls and dolls, to new bikes and even some guitars. The Boise Beat suggests making a reservation soon, as table seating is already filling up. The Sapphire Room will have their full bar open as well as their kitchen, so guests can purchase drinks, small plates, appetizers, entrees and more to enjoy at their table.
Also a tradition at the concert, a raffle will be held for many items donated by local merchants. This year, there are two guitars in the raffle, one donated by the Guitar Center and the other donated by Gerry and the Dreambenders. There will also be meals donated by several local restaurants. To be announced are several more items to be raffled off, including two very special items to be announced soon.
First, toys or donations can be brought to the Riverside Hotel front desk until December 9th, the day of the concert. Donations can either be unwrapped presents or checks made out to the United States Marine Corps. At the Toys for Tots 2022 Concert, any toys, gifts or donations (no cash please) will be gratefully accepted at the Sapphire Room entrance. After December 9, the same monetary check donations or presents will be accepted by Gerry and The Dreambenders. This will continue until midnight, Thursday, December 15. Please make arrangements by calling Gerry and the Dreambenders at (208) 602-3350 and leaving a text or phone message mentioning Toys for Tots (calls without messages identifying them as for Toys for Tots will not be returned). If necessary, pickup can also be arranged through this number.
The Toys for Tots 2022 Concert annual event is one that has been bringing joy for many here in the Treasure Valley for going on nine years now. Not only do many deserving children get some happiness on Christmas, but those who donate and those who also attend the concert get not only the joy of knowing they’ve helped a child, but those attending the show get the pleasure of seeing one of the Pacific Northwest’s top bands perform. It’s a Christmas time win-win for everyone!
Toys for Tots 2022 Concert
The Sapphire Room
Friday, December 9, 2022
Show at 6:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm)
Riverside Hotel
2900 W. Chinden Blvd.
Boise, ID 82714
Phone: (208) 331-4931
https://www.thedreambenders.com/
https://riversideboise.com
https://sapphireboise.com
Gerry and the Dreambenders Facebook Page
Great event. Great band. Great cause.
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