Beloved Candy Cane Tree Hosts Cookies With Santa Fundraiser For Gifts Of Joy Foundation In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — The Candy Cane Tree in Temecula is all about giving, and on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., they will be collecting Gifts of Joy —unwrapped toys and gift cards —for donation to hospitals and children with cancer, and the families that support them.

The Candy Cane Tree, located at 43423 Tylman Street, is open daily from now until New Year's Eve. The Hibbard family, owners of the home, have once again dressed up their front yard for the holidays, adding to their display and delighting visitors with a seemingly endless supply of candy canes through New Year's Eve.

For parents Jason and Cheyenne Hibbard and their four children, the candy cane tree has become an annual tradition of giving. Their home on Tylman Street sparkles with red and white canes, "snow-fall" twinkle lights, and holiday music for all to enjoy, and yes, even one night when Santa visits!

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the Hibbards and the Temecula Candy Cane Tree are hosting a special fundraiser collecting unwrapped toys for children battling cancer through Gifts Of Joy. It's Chyeanne's birthday, and the "best way to celebrate," she told Patch. "

Seven years ago, Gifts of Joy began with a group of friends in Temecula who wanted to teach our children the joy of giving, she shared. "We started a small toy drive and took our own children shopping, collected other toys and monetary donations from friends and family, and wrapped and delivered them — and it all took off from there! Since then, Gifts of Joy has expanded to 12 hospitals across Southern California and Tennessee.

Now, each year, Gifts Of Joy hosts a large toy drive to collect toys that bring cheer to children in hospitals battling cancer.

"This toy drive helps us supply wrapped gifts for children not only during the holidays, but throughout the year on hard days such as birthdays spent in hospitals, tough treatments, and times when families are given difficult medical news," she said. "Last year, our toy drive delivered 2,586 gifts to children battling cancer. In addition, volunteers wrote 1,388 handwritten cards of encouragement for the parents of these patients — pairing them with chocolates and a $10 Starbucks gift card with a reminder to “fill their cup too,” as they bravely care for their child."

About the Sunday, Dec. 14 Gifts Of Joy Toy Drive at the Candy Cane Tree:

"Come for cookies with Santa, and candy cane picking from Temecula’s one and only Candy Cane Tree! Cookies provided by E.A.T. Marketplace.

Bundle up as “Snow” is expected to fall! Gift ideas include gifts for kids of all ages, boys and girls.

Bring a gift for a teenager who is often overlooked, paired with a $25 Target or Amazon gift card for their gift basket.

Starbucks cards in $10 increments for the parents are appreciated to go along with chocolates and handwritten cards with words of encouragement that will be part of each child’s gift.

About the Candy Cane Tree:

Nighttime traffic on this side street in the Paseo Del Sol community has picked up, but the display remains magical, bright, and fun for neighborhood children. The Hibbards added a candy cane arbor to the display in 2022 and tend to up their candy cane game each year.

Temecula residents since 2019, the Hibbard's have shared their beloved family tradition of visiting a candy cane tree by making one of their own.

“In our old neighborhood, we would always visit the same houses with hot chocolate in hand on a specific night,” Cheyenne Hibbard said. “There was a house that our kids loved that had candy canes hanging from a tree at the end of the street.”

What's your favorite local family holiday tradition? Let us know by emailing your tradition to your local Patch editor, with pictures, for a chance to be featured on Patch.

Learn more about Gifts of Joy here.

Follow them on Facebook to see what nights it's "snowing!" on Tylman Street!

Read also:

Temecula's Candy Cane Tree Delights Neighbors With A Beloved Tradition