Joyful beginning

When your objective is to bring joy to children this holiday season, it’s probably not too bad if you have a little joy yourself.

So Monday night, with music playing, the eyes of many lit up like they were again children on Christmas morning when the Balboa Bay Club staff hit the lights, turning on more than 700,000 golden lights as the 1st Marine Division Band provides holiday music.

With the flip of a switch, the club’s 2008 holiday season was in full swing.

The event, with all its glitz, gold and holiday fare, wasn’t really about the club; it was about helping children. Attendees were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys that would go to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, a three-month program that culminates with toys being handed out to children at Christmastime. Local coordinators with the Marines find needy families annually where toys donated at events like Monday’s can help bring a child some Christmas joy.

— Joseph Serna