Holiday Generosity; Actress Becomes US Citizen: Saturday Smiles

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Whether you're involved in hectic planning, joyous celebrations or quiet reflection as Christmas approaches, we're glad that you opened this story to see some of the lighter stories of the week.

There's the Navy man who earned extra money just so he could buy toys for needy families. Or the 3,500 children who went toy shopping, with the tab paid by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. And did you see the photo of the newborn babies tucked into stockings at an Orange County hospital? We need a big, "Awwww!" for that one.

Speaking of photos, did you see Kobe Bryant's beautiful family at the ceremony to retire his jerseys? And did you hear how Minnie Driver planned to celebrate becoming a US citizen?

There are plenty of other heartwarming or thought provoking stories below -- take your time and enjoy!

Will Work For Toys: California Sailor Hangs Lights For Charity

• Navy man Tyler Drake raised $3,000 by hanging Christmas lights as a side gig. He used that money to buy toys for Toys for Tots.

Alzheimers Coachella Valley Opens at Berger Foundation

• Alzheimers Coachella Valley, a new community based nonprofit organization, will be open January 2.

CSUSB Palm Desert Expansion Receives $3M In Funding

• State Assembly members Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) and Garcia (D-Coachella) presented university officials with a $3,000,000 check.

Angel View and Piranhas Masters making waves into 2018

• Donations to children with disabilities to be raised in 10K swim on New Year's Eve day

Cancer Patient Gets Christmas Surprise In Santa Monica

• He was diagnosed with bone cancer and felt like he hit "rock bottom." But after this surprise, he couldn't hide his smile.

Mira Costa Votes For Unified Grad Gowns For Gender Equality

• The Manhattan Beach high school is nixing the tradition of boys in green and girls in gold, separated by gender during the ceremony.

Morongo Grants Holiday Wishes for 3,500 Inland Children

• Of the attendees, 600 youth from Banning, Beaumont and Cabazon, were selected by local charities and nonprofit groups to take part.

Loma Linda's Murrieta Cancer Program Earns National Accreditation

• “We take pride in knowing that our patients will receive quality, comprehensive and compassionate care during their cancer journey."

26 Blood Drives In RivCo: Holiday Donations Of A Different Sort

• The American Red Cross is asking area residents to "give blood now, help save lives by next month."

Temporary Parking Lot To Open At Palm Springs Airport

• The overflow area for economy parking should help with holiday-traffic passengers, officials said. Complimentary shuttle included!

Santa Set For Special Visit To RUHS Medical Center

• Santa to deliver holiday cheer through third-story window of RUHS Medical Center's Pediatric Unit.

Horses Rescued From Burning Barn By Riverside Corporal: Video

• Corporal Mike Powell rescued the horses in the evening of Dec. 8.

CSUSB Palm Desert Expansion Receives $3M In Fundin

• State Assembly members Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) and Garcia (D-Coachella) presented university officials with a $3,000,000 check.

County Hospital Gets Award For Expanding Doctor Access Via Phone

• The Riverside University Health System received the 2017 award from a state association.

Harleys, Fire Trucks & Santa Join Forces For Loma Linda Patients

• Over $7,000 was raised for the hospital through ride registrations and independent donations.

Adorable Newborn 'Stocking Stuffer' Tradition Going Strong: See

• This Orange County hospital is sending their babies home in festive stockings — and has been doing so for over 40 years.

Arrow Impaled Goose Finds Happy Ending At San Dimas Reservoir

• An arrow impaled goose seen at San Dimas Parks finally got a happy ending Wednesday at Puddingstone Reservoir after a month rescue attempts.

Holiday Food Donations From Walnut High Key Club

• Walnut High School Key Club made an epic donation of over 8,000 cans of food during holiday food donation drive.

Arcadia Unified Celebrates Digital Communications Internship

• Arcadia Unified School District shared some inspirational, informative and fun insights from the Digital Communications Internship program.

'Star Wars: Last Jedi' Had Orange County Fans Lining Up

• OC and fans across the country lined up to see "The Last Jedi" this weekend. One super fan decked halls with this Darth Vader light show.

Kitchen Remodel Ideas For Orange County Homes

• We can't all have that HGTV kitchen remodels of our dreams but here are a few suggestions, including open houses in your area this week.

Minnie Driver Sworn In As US Citizen In LA Ceremony

• "Good Will Hunting" star Minnie Driver said she will have a 'We The People' tea party' following her naturalization ceremony in Downtown LA.

LA County Libraries To Launch Fine-Free Cards

• Now kids will be able to use Los Angeles County libraries without having to worry about late fees.

30 Minute LA-To-Bay Area Hyperloop Project Gets Big Boost

• Billionaire Richard Branson is named CEO of the firm behind the hyperloop as investors pour another $50 million into the project.

Lakers Retire Both Of Kobe Bryant's Jerseys

• Kobe Bryant became the 10th player in Los Angeles Lakers history to have a number retired, and the only one to have two retired.

LA's Music Center Plaza To Get $33 Million Makeover

• The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved $33 million to update Downtown's Music Center Plaza.

--Photo courtesy of Tyler Drake