I made my semi-annual trip to Tehachapi this July and couldn't have been happier with the results! I really love towns like this, they had 45-50 people at the Christmas in July event at Marty Pay Farmers Insurance and they collected between 325-350 toys, all of which will stay locally in your wonderful community.

The heart of this town was on display in the weeks leading up to the event. Drop off stations where all throughout the city. Tehachapi Martial Arts has always been great gathering of toys, as was Miramar International Real Estate. Country Real Estate and the Treasure Trove were also places that had boxes with my picture on the side. Your great City Hall had a box, as well as the Police Station and Sears and, of course, Bank of the West had their box.

Since it's July and I'm on vacation, I'm glad Red House BBQ supplied some incredible appetizers, this Jolly Old Fat guy has to keep his weight up! Hard to do when you're sitting around the beach with that long beard enjoying the sun. Barbara Ferrante from Jake's Steakhouse was more than generous, and I know she made a bunch of kids happy with her donations.

I understand that a record was broken in the number of toys collected, breaking the old record by about 50.

I'll be back in December, and I've already had a few businesses tell me they'd like to break last year's record for toys collected at Christmas time. With the amount of community support and the fantastic businesses that participate, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm told they will ramp this up in November and I'm looking forward to being a part of it again!

Until then, stay off the naughty list, listen to your parents and, remember, Christmas is just around the corner!

~ Santa

Marty Pay has been the local Farmers Agent for over 30 years. He and his incredible staff are at 212 West F Street in Tehachapi across the parking lot from Bank of the Sierra, their phone number is (661) 822-3737.