Holiday traditions begin with 63rd Toy Coffee
Published 1:05 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Paul, left, and Raul Burch open their home for the Service League of Orange’s 63rd Annual Toy Coffee from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 1866 Lindenwood Drive in Orange.
Heirloom ornaments help deck the halls at 1866 Lindenwood Drive in Orange
Heirloom ornaments help deck the halls at 1866 Lindenwood Drive in Orange
Nutcrackers of all sizes stand guard of the winter wonderland preparing for the Toy Coffee.
A heirloom Santa is laying around just waiting for visitors for the 63rd annual Toy Coffee
A glass spun candle, a gift from a friend, is one of many spun glass ornaments donning a tree at this year’s Toy Coffee from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, at 1866 Lindenwood Drive in Orange.
By Dawn Burleigh
The Orange Leader
Nutcrackers, antique ornaments and Christmas trees can only mean one thing, Toy Coffee is just around the corner.
The Toy Coffee is an annual event hosted by the Service League of Orange to help the Salvation Army and children of Orange County.
The event is from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 1866 Lindenwood Drive in Orange.
Homeowners Paul and Raul Burch are known for beautifying Orange one house at a time are opening their home for this year’s tradition, the 63rd annual Toy Coffee.
The house was one of three built-in Orange designed by the same architect in 1968. This one in the Lindenwood Addition, the late Dr. Howard Williams and one on Sunset Drive. The bricks used throughout the house were selected and shipped from missions in Mexico. The style of the house is referred to as the Mediterranean style.
Each room, while unique in their own, show another side of Burch’s personality and brings it all together in one showcase.
In the piano room, a baby grand piano is adorned with cherubs and antique lighting. Along the wall are two curio cases displaying vintage head vases as well as a collection of nutcrackers for the event.
Decking the halls came early for the homeowners as they pulled out the Christmas trees and decorations on the evening of Halloween to ensure the displays would please the guests.
As a special treat, a pianist will play Paul’s baby grand piano while guests partake in the tours.
Admission to the annual event for guests is a new, unwrapped toy or a monetary donation, which is given to The Salvation Army of Orange County for use in its Christmas program for needy families.
The event has raised approximately $30,000 and over 4,000 toys for Orange County children in the last eight years.
The Service League of Orange helps bag up the toys with the Salvation Army to be handed out.
The event is held annually by the Service League of Orange, which was founded in 1954. The first Toy Coffee was held in 1956 and has been going strong every year since then.
