San Jacinto

The Soboba Casino Resort Event Center was full of music, laughter and good cheer as Soboba Elders were invited to ring in 2022 with a lavish dinner party on Dec. 29. From 3 to 7 p.m. about 100 guests were entertained by the rhythm and blues band Sly, Slick & Wicked, DJ Mike Nevarez and Aalon, a soul group formed by lead singer and guitarist Aalon Butler. Luis “Lou” Pizarro of the television show “Operation Repo” offered comedic relief as the night’s emcee.

While most families were traveling to reach a destination away from home this Christmas season or preparing their homes with decorations, baked goods and wrapped presents, Phillip Basquez and his family spent Dec. 22 making sure lots of San Jacinto children got a new toy.

The generosity of the public who donated toys to this year’s Soboba Gives Back! Toy Drive was outstanding but when Soboba Tribal Elders heard the amount was a little short of expectations this year, they decided to support the project by donating 400 toys.

As longtime Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Circle of Influence members, the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, Soboba Casino Resort and Soboba Foundation were happy to host the organization’s 2021 Holiday Mixer again this year. More than 450 guests wined and dined at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center on Dec. 8.

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, its Foundation and Soboba Casino Resort joined forces to ensure that needy families would have a hearty meal this Thanksgiving. The San Jacinto Unified School District organized a drive-through event on the Friday before students were released for a weeklong break from school. The following day, Nov. 20, families who received vouchers through Hemet Unified School District programs lined up at the district office on Acacia to receive their meals.