Honoring a Legacy of Joy

Spreading Cheer, One Gift at a Time: How a Brother’s Legacy Inspires a Campus Tradition

Beneath twinkling holiday lights, the spirit of giving radiated at the University of La Verne this December. Members of the campus community came together earlier this month to sort and deliver hundreds of gifts to the House of Ruth, a shelter providing life-saving domestic violence services. This heartwarming event marked the culmination of the university’s 2024 holiday gift drive, a cherished annual tradition that began more than a decade ago.

At the heart of the drive is staff member Malissa Hernandez, who founded the effort in memory of her younger brother, Mario. Mario, who passed away from cystic fibrosis at 17, spent much of his life in isolation at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Despite his challenges, he dedicated his time to helping others, spearheading a campaign to create a teen room on his hospital floor stocked with video games, movies, and exercise equipment.

“Mario was a very special human being,” Hernandez shared. “I miss him so much, but I’m grateful for the impact he made on my life. This drive is my way of honoring him and continuing his legacy of bringing joy to others.”

The toy drive, which began in 2013, has evolved into a community-wide initiative supported by a dedicated committee that includes staff volunteers Myrna Hugo, Veronica Ashcroft, Christine Diaz, Carrie Lewis Hasse, Sarah Prosenko, Brooke Grasso, and Stephanie Pruett. With the involvement of the Office of Civic & Community Engagement and others in recent years, the drive has grown to new heights, averaging 300 gifts annually.

This year, the focus was on teens, an often-overlooked population during the holidays. Donations included everything from art supplies and sports gear to gift cards, all unwrapped and ready for delivery. On December 13, volunteers worked diligently to sort and package the gifts, creating a festive atmosphere filled with camaraderie and purpose.

Since its inception, the drive has donated thousands of gifts, worth an estimated $50,000, to organizations like CHOC Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and most recently, the House of Ruth. The impact is far-reaching, bringing smiles to children and teens and lifting the spirits of families facing difficult times during the holidays.

“This is more than a toy drive—it’s a testament to the power of community and compassion,” said one volunteer. “It’s amazing to see how something as simple as a gift can make such a big difference.”