As we wrapped up 2024, December proved to be a strong finish to an incredible year of work. It was a month full of meaningful events, from festive rides and tree plantings to community outreach and resource sharing. We closed the year on a high note with activities from El Monte to Pomona. Learn more about what we accomplished this month!

At the beginning of the month, we hosted our annual staff holiday party to celebrate the end of a successful year. The gathering included time to reflect on accomplishments, enjoy the season, and participate in our Brown Burro gift exchange—a fun white elephant-style swap featuring regifted items or things looking for a new home. It was an excellent opportunity to connect and unwind as a team.

December 5 was all about promoting nutrition and healthy living. At LA State Historic Park, we wrapped up the final session of our CalFresh nutrition education series. Over five weeks, participants learned how to decode food labels, understand serving sizes, and outsmart grocery store traps. The final class ended with a food demonstration and taste test of a Chia Seed Parfait—a delicious and nutritious option for breakfast or snacks. Later that evening, we joined TreePeople at the El Monte Tree Lighting Ceremony to give away 50 fruit trees, including avocado, persimmon, and pomegranate. These trees will provide fresh produce and long-term health benefits to residents, tying together the day’s theme of building healthier communities.

December 7 was one of the busiest and most exciting days for ActiveSGV, with three major community events across the San Gabriel Valley, from El Monte to Pomona. Our Easy Access program hosted its biggest holiday ride in collaboration with Amigos De Los Rios, Sierra Club 30x30, and Whittier Narrows Nature Center. Over 50 participants joined us for a festive ride around the Emerald Necklace, enjoying bird watching with binoculars, a pop-up aquarium, tamales, and even a bike giveaway. This ride celebrated the region's beauty and the joy of connecting with others through sustainable, active transportation.

That same day, we partnered with TreePeople and the El Monte Treevengers for a tree-planting event at Fletcher Park in El Monte. Volunteers worked together to plant trees that would clean the air, combat climate change, and provide essential shade for our neighborhoods. Meanwhile, at Lopez Urban Farm in Pomona, we hosted another successful Crop Swap, where neighbors shared fresh produce, seeds, and flowers. These three events demonstrated the strength of community action, bringing people together across the SGV to create a greener, healthier, and more connected future.

The Merced Avenue Greenway project was also in the spotlight this month, thanks to Sarah Pilla and Spectrum News 1. ActiveSGV’s executive director, David Diaz, shared insights about this transformative initiative, which spans 1.1 miles in South El Monte and is nearing the completion of its first phase south of Rush Street. The project demonstrates how thoughtful street design can cool neighborhoods, improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and enhance water quality. As a neighborhood-scale effort, it contributes to regional goals like flood management, water quality improvement, and habitat restoration while helping to reduce heat and pollution in communities like South El Monte.

Our final Easy Access pop-up took place in December at Peck Park, welcoming over 28 participants to try out e-bikes and engaging with more than 100 community members. We look forward to continuing these pop-ups every second and last Sunday of the month through June 2025!

In addition to these events, our climate team led two virtual presentations about the Merced Avenue Greenway, reaching new audiences and sharing our vision for sustainable mobility. On the ground, they engaged with the community through eight tabling events, canvassing sessions in Alhambra and El Monte, and a phone banking effort to distribute Save Our Water resources. This month also saw the introduction of two youth behavioral health apps—BrightLife Kids and Soluna—designed to help young people and families manage their mental health.

December has flown by quickly. As we close out this month, we’re grateful for the incredible support we’ve received. Thank you for being part of our journey. To stay updated with us in the new year, follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter!