Despite there being only three Goodyear Blimp bases nationwide, the blimp at rest, taking off or landing in Carson is seen by the thousands of motorists driving north or south on the 405 Freeway on any given day.
Access to the blimp is limited, and a ride on the iconic airship is normally out of the question. In December, all of this changes as Goodyear welcomes local Marines, transforming the Carson base into possibly the largest Toys For Tots drop-off center in California.
For three days, starting Thursday, Dec. 8, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Goodyear Blimp Base, located at 19200 N. Main St., just north of the 405 Freeway at the Main Street exit.
“This is our first year with Toys For Tots,” said Elizabeth Flynn, media director at the Goodyear Blimp Base. “The community has been very supportive, and we are all excited.” Local police, civic agencies and other groups have come out in force to support this wonderful cause.”
And thanks to Goodyear, a ride on the blimp might be in some group’s future.
“When you drop off your gift at the blimp base,” said Flynn, “you may enter a drawing for a blimp ride for you and five of your friends.” Entry forms and drop-off centers are located at many local Goodyear Tire dealerships, with Scher Tire stores and Just Tire centers in Long Beach as local drop-off locations. No purchase or donation is necessary, but unwrapped toys are welcome.
Started in 1947 by a group of reservists, the Toys for Tots program collected and distributed 5,000 toys that year. Major Bill Hendricks, one of the reservists, at the behest of his wife, Diane, tried to take a doll to an agency that would distribute it to a needy child. Finding no organization, Hendricks started Toys For Tots.
Walt Disney designed the recognizable logo, the three-car train with each word of “Toys For Tots” written on each car. Major Hendricks worked at Warner Brothers Studios as director of Public Relations, and he was able to get stars like Bob Hope, John Wayne and Nat “King” Cole to support the cause. Their motto since the organization’s inception, “Bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children,” remains the hallmark of the program today. Visit toysfortotsbell.org for more information.
For three days, the base will be decorated with oversized gift boxes and other holiday sights, perfect for a unique photo opportunity. The parking lot will be designated as the drive-through toy drop-off center, and the observation deck will be open to the public. The parking lot will be limited specifically to toy drop-off, so long-term parking for sightseeing and photo opportunities is available at Park, just north of the blimp base.
More Information
goodyearblimp.com
(323) 770-0456
toysfortots.org
