Col. Lane A. Bomar, the Fort Irwin Garrison Commander, volunteers to distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Fort Irwin Community Volunteers distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Col. Lane A. Bomar, the Fort Irwin Garrison Commander, volunteers to distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Col. Lane A. Bomar, the Fort Irwin Garrison Commander, and Sgt. Maj. Jerald Stephens, the Fort Irwin Department of Emergency Services Senior Enlisted Advisor, thank The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for its continued coordination of "Christmas in January" at Fort Irwin. The club collects toy donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Fort Irwin's Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate thanks Mr. Mike Keller, for organizing the distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Fort Irwin's Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Brandon C. Anderson volunteers to distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Fort Irwin's Command Team, Brig. Gen. Brandon C. Anderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate volunteer to distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Fort Irwin's Command Team, Brig. Gen. Brandon C. Anderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet C. Tate volunteer to distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

A Fort Irwin Community Volunteer helps to distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

Dozens of cars line up wait Fort Irwin Community Volunteers distribute thousands of donated toys collected by The High Desert Mopars Car Club January 11th, 2025 for "Christmas in January." The club collects donations while participating in Southern California car shows and similar events, on behalf of Military Children at Fort Irwin.

FORT IRWIN, CA – “Christmas In January,” a local charity event that began during the 2009 new year, returned Saturday, January 11th at Taylor’s Field House 12:00PM – 4PM, to distribute donated toys and gifts to Families of military children stationed here.

The event was organized like a multilane drive through where each car received slips regarding the preferences of their children. Runners collected the slips and, in short order, returned with toys for the corresponding children. The initial backlog of 150 cars or so, were serviced within the first 35 minutes with thousands of toys still left to gift. After a few social media posts and word of mouth spread, cars returned and cycled through at a steady pace.

The U.S. Army and The National Training Center at Fort Irwin takes the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation of its Soldiers, Civilians, and Family Members very seriously. “The Army asks a lot of its active-duty members, and quite honestly, our community of family members are the ones making sacrifices so that we can accomplish our mission,” said Col. Lane A. Bomar, the Fort Irwin Garrison Commander. “We observe April as ‘The Month of the Military Child’ but we practice it every month and highlight opportunities, such as this, to show our families that the Army cares.”

Through Fort Irwin’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreational Programs the military post provided dozens of volunteers from its Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers Program, Family Housing, Spouses Clubs, Command Leadership, and many others to organize and distribute the gifts.

“What began as a small effort by the Department of Emergency Services Commander at the time, turned into a contribution that no one could have imagined,” said Mike Keller, the Toy Drive coordinator on behalf of the Inland Mopars Car Club. “Phil Leatherman and his wife Mary championed the Fort Irwin Community and led the organization in gathering presents after hosting charity Christmas parties and dedicated the fundraiser to the benefit of Fort Irwin Children.”

Today the club collects months’ worth of donated toys by holding car shows, telling the story of Fort Irwin, and how the toys benefit the children of the remote and isolated instillation.

“In 2014 the Inland Mopars started volunteering, and since Phil and Mary moved away, we’ve continued the charity since 2018,” Keller continued. “This was also made possible by the generous donations from the Southern California Car Community, especially the Mopar Club San Diego and the Little Guy's Street Rod Club for collectively donating over $5,500 valued in toys; they deserve a big thanks.”

The ongoing success of this charity raises the morale and quality of life for the Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members stationed at Fort Irwin and is a stark reminder of the good will of its High Desert Community partnerships.