Thousands enjoyed the music and annual tradition of the Winter Wonderland & Toy Giveaway for children and their families on Saturday, Dec. 14, sponsored by the nonprofit Simin Hope Foundation and the Los Angeles Police Department.
The event at Harvard Park in South Los Angeles offered children a three-lane snow slide, a petting zoo, icee machines and a chance to see LAPD horses from the 77th Street Community Police Station and the famed Mounted Platoon.
Special guests included Alik Bulan, the East African-born recording artist based in Los Angeles; actor Romeo Miller; singer and song writer Ray J; actor and comedian Omar Gooding; and Didier “DJ” Mbenga, a former NBA champion and center who played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
And not to forget, Mickey Mouse also danced on the stage and Santa Claus stepped up to introduce the host of the event, Simin Hope Foundation founder Simin Hashemizadeh. And thrilled children got to pick out toys thanks to the organizers and the LAPD Community Safety Partnership and Los Angeles City Council District 8.