Basquez, a member of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, decided a couple of years ago to hold a toy giveaway event to provide for families that couldn’t afford much. Last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he knew many families were having a hard time and wanted to make sure children had a merry Christmas. This year, although things have improved for many, some still are struggling and Basquez and his family wanted to do what they could to help out. “I just think giving back to the community is important; I grew up here,” Basquez, 34, said. “I feel each child deserves a gift.”

He set up a pop-up area near Regal Cinemas movie theater in San Jacinto three days before Christmas and posted the event on Instagram and Facebook, inviting the community to come with their children. Those who saw the post shared with others and there was a long line already in place when the giveaway officially began at noon.

With the help of his brothers, friends, children, including his son Delos and daughter Lokelani and his mother, Johnna Valdez, Basquez gave away 300-plus toys. Everyone adhered to safety protocols as only one family at a time was allowed to view all the toys displayed on multiple tables. Each child in the family could choose the toy they wanted. There were dolls, trucks, stuffed animals and so much more. It was like shopping in a toy store, only the gifts were free to the kids.

“The first year, I bought all the toys and last year we bought the majority of them but friends that liked what we were doing donated toys, too,” Basquez said. This year, Valdez was able to be included on the recipient list of the Soboba Gives Back! Toy Drive, which provided 150 gifts.

Basquez said people driving by stopped because they thought the toys were being sold but when they found out what he was doing, they offered to donate money. “We thanked them for the offer but told them it wasn’t necessary,” he said.

He said the feedback from grateful families was heartwarming as they received many comments such as “thank you,” “God bless you,” “we don’t see this often,” “this is wonderful” and “we appreciate this.”

Valdez, who is on the board of directors for the California Indian Manpower Consortium Inc., was happy that the nonprofit donated reusable water bottles and hot cocoa bombs they could distribute to each family as well. “My son started doing this because he wanted to give toys to the kids in this town and he wanted his own kids to learn about helping those less fortunate,” she said.

Basquez was happy that this year’s event was bigger and better than last year, and he was pleased that so many children were able to receive a toy. “We look forward to next year,” he said.

Basquez helps with other groups that do toy drives throughout the year since needy children enjoy gifts at any time, not just for Christmas.

To learn more about future events, follow him on Instagram @bingbong1883.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians | Contributed

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More than 370 visitors to the four-hour event were greeted with music, giveaways, contests and 21 vendors that included many Soboba departments sharing their programs and projects. Noli Indian School students were invited to decorate trash cans that would give an important message about protecting the planet by recycling. Ten classes collaborated on the cans that were provided by the environmental department and displayed in the center of the booths that were set up outdoors at the Soboba Sports Complex. Environmental Specialist Micah Knox contacted the school to explain the contest criteria.

“I asked them to show something that promotes sustainability for our community using items that get recycled,” he said.

Three winners were chosen to receive either a pizza, ice cream or donut party for their class.

“They are all super creative; they did a great job,” Michelle Kaliher, Environmental Administrative Assistant, said.

“They have some really great concepts and put a lot of effort into each one.” Noli science teacher Jay D’Agostino said all science students were encouraged to participate.

“We also had classroom lessons on recycling and the reasons for conservation,” he said. “We talked about some of the damage that’s already been done and how to minimize things for the future.”

He said the students came up with their own designs and he was pleased with the detail they put into their creations. First place went to Period 5 Chemistry who did a play on Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street, who lived in a trashcan. Second place was awarded to Noli Agriculture who made a face from recycled tires and other rubber and plastic items. Third place was a tie between the Oceanography class who created a save the beaches theme and 6th grade Science who decorated their can with lots of pictures of things that live in the sky, on land and in the water that need to be protected.

When checking in, children were asked to guess how many crushed plastic drinking water bottles were stuffed into a larger container. The correct answer was 18 and four kids that guessed closest to the total each won an Alien X Treasure Hunter toy.

Cultural Garden Specialist Eloyd Rodriguez shared freshly picked produce with visitors to the Cultural Resource Department’s booths. He had an abundance of green onions, butternut squash and other recently harvested vegetables. Cultural Resource Specialist Jessica Valdez made sure all guests received a reusable lunch bag and a potted succulent to take home as the department also shared some of its projects and programs.

Reptiles were brought and displayed by Jhonathan C of Puppies and Reptiles for Parties. He shared facts and tips about caring for these types of creatures while shouldering an 11-foot, 60-pound python. He said most people are curious as to what each of them eats.

“These are all my co-workers and it’s been fun being here,” he said as put the python in a holding box and took out a Savannah monitor reptile to show.

Soboba Tribal TANF offered guests the opportunity to create recycled paper coasters from rolled magazine pages, which provided lots of color. There were also kits for kids to make a paper mache planet earth from green and blue squares or a textured earth from green and blue yarn pieces.

Representatives from the Master Gardener program were on hand to offer safe pest control tips as well as ways to keep gardens healthy. CR&R Environmental Services offered recycling tips and explained its “Anaerobic Digestion” project that turns today’s waste into tomorrow’s energy. GRID Alternatives offered details about solar energy. The Home Depot in Hemet shared ideas about saving energy by having heating and air conditioning units serviced and provided at-home water test kits. A new vendor this year was KTUA, whose mission is to provide planning and landscape architectural services that promote the sustainable use of resources while creating inspiring and functional environments that support all human activities. They shared the importance of creating an Active Transportation Plan for Soboba that provides better options for biking, walking and transit services. Also new this year was Kay Pfeiffer, Senior Vice President at TrueLifeCare, who was on hand to talk about a new program for Soboba tribal members and employees who receive health benefits that helps with testing and coaching for diabetes. TLC works in partnership with Soboba Rx and aims to empower members to improve their health outcomes.

Jessica Southard and Serra Rea from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Environmental Protection Department had recycling games for the youngest guests and a lot of handouts and tips for adults about food waste reduction. Some of the easiest ways to minimize waste is to use a shopping list to avoid over purchasing and know how long cold foods can be stored so they are used before they perish.

Southard, an Environmental Specialist I, said they chose to focus on food waste for this event because it is a widespread problem. Handouts included explaining the ramifications of wasting food citing that the estimated total value of food loss at the retail and consumer levels in the United States was $161.6 billion in 2010. Food waste also leads to climate consequences such as accounting for 8% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and is the single most common material landfilled in the U.S., comprising 24% of landfilled municipal solid waste. One example given is that 31% of fresh tomatoes bought by U.S. households are thrown out, which amounts to 21 tomatoes a year per person.

Southard said the newest development in recycling came with the recent passage of AB 343, which requires package producers to meet strict criteria to use the “chasing arrows” symbol on their plastic packaging in California.

“The bill is helpful because it will take the logo off things that are not widely recyclable to make it less confusing,” she said.

Emma Arres, who assists the Environmental Department in field work, had a chance to visit some of the booths. She enjoyed seeing the different activities each vendor had and found Morongo’s booth the most memorable. Avelaka Gonzales and Raven Peterson said they enjoy attending Soboba’s Earth Day events every year.

“I really liked the produce giveaway and all the things they have here for the kids is awesome,” Gonzales said, who also brought her three-year-old daughter Nehsoon Salas.

Marketing department employees from Soboba Casino Resort offered a fun beach clean-up game where participants sifted through sand to find a picture of an item and then had to determine if it should be thrown in the trash or the recycling bin. Prizes included small plush sea creatures.

Soboba Department of Public Safety’s Patrol Officer Tim Cosby and dispatcher Britanny Norris helped guests recycle CDs into sun catchers by decorating them with markers. Soboba Fire personnel offered children coloring books that explain the importance of fire safety and plastic firefighter helmets.

Antonia Briones-Venegas and Aurelia Mendoza set up their Frybread Kitchen serving regular and Indian tacos to a non-stop line of hungry guests.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians | Contributed

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“I’m a visual learner so it’s pretty easy for me to get the desired makeup/hair results someone wants,” Modesto said. “I’ve booked many special events and felt privileged to be a part of all of them. I love the look clients give me when they see themselves in the mirror for the first time.”

Modesto took Coastline Beauty College’s cosmetician course consisting of technical instruction and practical operations covering all practices of an esthetician in 2019 at its Hemet location.

“I originally decided to take the program because I wanted to maintain my own youthful appearance and learn some fountain of youth secrets,” she jokingly added. “When I started to learn and understand esthetics, my desire to share them with others ignited. I absolutely love helping others achieve their glow up.”

That ambition was the motivation behind Modesto starting her own business in December: Hu$tle & Glow.

“I chose the name because I am dedicated to working hard to make everyone feel and look their best,” Modesto said. “I knew I wanted to be my own boss because I have a family and need flexible hours.”

Currently she is working from her home studio at the Soboba Reservation that she designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere for her clients. Her goal is to build a studio behind her home and within five years have her own store front studio. Some of the services she offers are facials, skin treatments, body sculpting, teeth whitening, tooth gems and tattoo removal.

The Coastline Beauty College taught Modesto everything she needed to know in order to pass the California state board as a licensed esthetician. She learned the proper procedures for facials, microdermabrasion, tweezing/waxing, sanitation, disinfection and more.

“I was tested weekly and started taking clients after about 200 hours of instruction, giving me lots of hands-on experience,” Modesto said. “I had so many supportive family members and friends that made regular appointments and kept me busy.”

After completing the program at Coastline, she took courses at the Concepts Institute of Advanced Esthetics and got certified in causes and treatment of hyperpigmentation, understanding and treating acne and LED and light therapy. She is completing the final two courses to be certified in clinical esthetics. Modesto also attended The Beauty Academy in Riverside to get certified in HydraFacial, tattoo removal, body sculpting and Pressotherapy. She earned her certification in advanced body sculpting in Long Beach and took other certification courses with Tooth Kandy in Los Angeles and The Whitening Gals in New York.

“I’m very grateful for the Soboba Higher Education program that enabled me to participate in all these classes,” Modesto said. “I love meeting new people and building an amazing clientele while learning about the newest services and trying to stay ahead of the game.”

She said her favorite part about having her own business has been the success stories.

“I love when my clients come into their next appointment and share about how people around them noticed the change in them. Every woman is beautiful; I just enhance their beauty so they can look and feel their best,” Modesto said. “I love to encourage women and men to be successful in all aspects of their life. Everyone has the potential to win.”

She likes to encourage clients to step out of their comfort zone and try a new look. “Don’t be afraid to just go for it,” Modesto said. “Dress how you want, wear that glittery lipstick, cut your hair. It’s your life and you only get this one, so stand out and be you. If you need a little help with that, come visit me.”

Modesto can be reached at 951-327-3211, by email at hustle.n.glow@icloud.com or on Instagram at hustle.n.gloww.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians • Contributed

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