One of La Verne’s oldest and most beloved traditions is getting a fresh start thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers determined to keep Christmas morning magical for years to come.

For more than a century, families have gathered on their front lawns as fire engine sirens announced Santa’s arrival. The tradition began in 1925, when volunteer firefighters delivered food to families in need before evolving into Santa’s annual neighborhood tour. It’s a tradition Scott Dilley remembers from childhood—and one he doesn’t want future families to miss.

“It brought our whole neighborhood to the curb,” Dilley said. “A chance to catch up and celebrate our amazing city.”

Now Dilley and fellow volunteers are leading Christmas Morning in La Verne, an all-volunteer committee that is collaborating with the newly formed Community Foundation of La Verne. As a 501(c)(3), the foundation can accept tax-deductible donations on behalf of Christmas Morning. The new model will allow the annual event to continue as City budget pressures make it more difficult for the City to support community traditions at previous levels.

Dilley said discussions with the City of La Verne are ongoing as organizers finalize details with the goal of making the event an all-volunteer effort.

“This tradition has always relied on a large army of volunteers,” Dilley said. “The willingness of residents to contribute is why it has lasted for more than 100 years.”

Plans include bringing back the candy and peanut bags, expanding Santa’s route through the City’s mobile home parks and replacing volunteers on foot with golf carts to improve safety while reducing staffing needs.

Jocelyn Arellano Campbell said longtime residents still talk about receiving the candy bags as children. She enjoys sharing the tradition with her own children and understands the challenges of keeping it going.

Among those helping keep the tradition alive is Morgan Kostolefsky. Her family participated when her father served as a volunteer reserve firefighter, and she said continuing the tradition felt like a natural way to give back.

“Seeing the little kids jump up and down, smiling at Santa makes me happy, because I remember seeing it when I was a kid,” Kostolefsky said. 

For Elizabeth Thornhill, the tradition represents more than a holiday event.

“This is something my whole neighborhood looks forward to,” Thornhill said. “It’s part of what makes La Verne so special.”

For foundation member Jason Simison, preserving the event is about preserving the community itself.

“I grew up in La Verne. I was the kid on the front lawn waiting for the fire truck with Santa to show up,” Simison said. “I also raised my kids in this town and spent many Christmas mornings on the front lawn with my kids.”

Organizers say their biggest challenge now is raising the remaining funds and recruiting enough volunteers to keep one of La Verne’s longest-running traditions alive. Their goal is to raise around $25,000.

Residents and businesses can help by sponsoring the event, volunteering to pack approximately 12,000 candy bags on Dec. 23 or assisting Santa’s team on Christmas morning.

🔗 Learn more about how to support the La Verne Christmas Tradition