My family and I have called Manhattan Beach home for more than 30 years, and for the past six years, we’ve had the privilege of living in the close-knit Hill Section neighborhood. Over the years, this community has truly become a family to us. We’ve supported one another, celebrated birthdays, holidays, and simply enjoyed any excuse to gather together. The bonds we’ve formed with our neighbors became even stronger during the pandemic when we hosted weekly Friday afternoon happy hours. Even though life has become busier since then, that sense of togetherness has remained. We’ve created our own little community within The Hill, and I’m so grateful for that.

One of the most fulfilling parts of our lives here in Manhattan Beach has been our involvement in the Holiday Baskets program, which is the heart of Sandpipers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1931. This program began during the Great Depression, with a group of seven women in Hermosa Beach who saw the struggles their neighbors were facing. They decided to take action by creating baskets filled with food, essential items, and toys for local families in need. That simple act of compassion sparked what has grown into nearly a century-long tradition of giving. Today, Sandpipers continues to provide support for over 100 families each year, ensuring that the spirit of generosity and community remains strong.

The Holiday Baskets program is a deeply meaningful initiative that has been part of Sandpipers from the very beginning. Sandpipers partners with local agencies to identify families in need and delivers baskets filled with household necessities, personal care items, clothing, toys, and gift cards. While the program has evolved over the years, its core mission has always been to ensure that every family, especially during the holidays, is treated with dignity and receives the support they need.

Our family has been involved with Sandpipers since 1994, and once our kids were born, the organization became a part of their lives too. I would bring my children along to meetings and events, and every year, we would head to the mall to pick out Sugarplum Tree ornaments with the wish lists of children who needed gifts. Together, we would shop for toys, pack the car with necessities, and then deliver the Holiday Baskets to families. This was always our favorite part of being involved with Sandpipers—the opportunity to teach our kids the importance of giving back to the community.

In 2004, our youngest child came up with a brilliant idea that would change the course of our giving efforts. She asked if she could trade receiving Christmas presents for a class party where her friends could donate toys to be given to children in need. I shared the idea with my husband, John, and he immediately embraced it. “If the kids get to invite their friends, then I get to invite mine!” he said. And so, our annual Acker Family Toy Drive was born.

What started as a small party in our garage with about 60-70 guests has grown into one of the largest toy drives in the area. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of having the UBS Bel Air Wealth Management Team as a corporate sponsor, and we’re fortunate to have Lisa Hemmat from Lido di’ Manhattan cater our event every year. Local musicians from Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School provide entertainment, and the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club helps with toy transportation to the Torrance YMCA for the Holiday Baskets event.

It’s been incredible to see the community come together year after year to support this cause. This past year, we surpassed 600 toys—our biggest donation yet!

Like many, our biggest challenge came in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic threw everything into uncertainty. At first, I suggested we cancel the event, but John wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted we find a way to make it work. And so, we adapted. Instead of the traditional house party with decorations and entertainment, we turned our garage into a toy drop-off station. Despite the changes, over 100 guests still came, and we managed to collect more toys than ever before. That year, we broke a record with over 400 toys donated, showing us just how generous people are, even in the toughest of times.

Fast forward to 2024, our 20th anniversary year, and we’re seeing even more evidence of the community’s generosity, with this year’s toy drive exceeding 600 toys. It’s amazing to see how this event continues to grow, and it’s all thanks to the incredible people who come together to support it.

While the Holiday Baskets program and the Acker Family Toy Drive are close to my heart, it’s important to remember that these efforts are part of a much larger network of community service. Sandpipers and the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club donate thousands of hours each year to help others. They serve meals for seniors, provide programs for at-risk youth, and offer college scholarships to local students, just to name a few. John and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this community, and we’ve found so much joy in participating in both Sandpipers and the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club, as well as our new church, South Hills, led by fellow Rotarian Pastor Bryon Bos.

As we approach our 20th anniversary of the Acker Family Toy Drive in 2024, I can’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way—from our neighbors and volunteers to our sponsors and guests. Without their help, this event wouldn’t be possible.

I also want to take a moment to thank the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club for their toy donations and their assistance with transporting the toys. Our neighbors in the Hill Section deserve thanks for allowing us to use their driveways for the event. And, of course, I’m thankful for my family, including our household staff, who work tirelessly to make these events happen. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also thank the Lord, as our faith is the foundation of everything we do, and He is the reason behind this season of giving.

If you’d like to get involved in the upcoming events or donate to the Holiday Baskets program or the Acker Family Toy Drive, there are plenty of ways to help. Whether you attend our toy drive, donate a toy, or volunteer your time, your support makes a world of difference to families in need. We invite you to join us in continuing this tradition of giving, and together, we can ensure that the spirit of generosity thrives in our community for years to come.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. It’s been an honor to serve this amazing community, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

With gratitude,
Lisa Acker