December 7, 2019, By PBSWest.org

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and in Jordan Downs, there were lots to cheer about. Inside the Jordan Downs Recreational Gymnasium, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Theta Alpha Sigma Chapter | Long Beach, CA hosted its 16th Annual Toys for Watts giveaway for the small community in Watts, CA.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., in collaboration with the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Police Department, The Boys and Girls Club, Jordan Downs Resident Advisory Council, Top Dawg Entertainment, Coach for Kids, USC Health and the US Census Bureau were able to come together and support the 700+ Kids and families in the Jordan Downs community with toys, books, clothing, snacks and service programs.

The Jordan Downs Housing Projects is a 700-unit public housing apartment complex in Watts, CA next to David Starr Jordan High School. It consists of 103 buildings with townhouse style units ranging in size from one to five bedrooms. The complex is owned and managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA). One-third of the community is employed with an average annual salary of $16,000 a year (US National average is approximately $55,575). At this year‘s toy drive, Joanna Garcia, a member of the Mayor’s office, thanked Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. for the hard work over the years and shared that when she was a child, she remembers attending the toy drive and it has a huge impact on her and her family.

Below is a testimony from one of the parents in the community: “Hello, Phi Beta Sigma! I live on Lou Dillon Avenue in Watts. Today I was driving my two grandkids to their appt., on Grape Street, when I saw a bunch of kids coming out of the Community Center at the Jordan downs with toys. I immediately ran with the kids in the hopes they could get a toy. I had just finished saying no toys this year to them, and then they got toys. I couldn't be more grateful to you guys. I had never heard of your org. before and now I'll be mentioning to anyone that'll listen, of how you guys really made a difference to my grandkids. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and more importantly my grandkids. Thank you, Bless your Heart Truly.”

"The mission of the program is to collect new and unwrapped toys for the event and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to the needy children in the Jordan Downs community. The message we want to convey is “no child left behind” and “I am my Brother’s Keeper," We want to help all families to enjoy the spirit of Christmas as it was designed to be a joyous event," stated Theta Alpha Sigma Chapter President, Bro. Maurice Williams.