For the second year in a row, the City of Lakewood is collecting postcards and letters of appreciation from Lakewood residents to send to U.S. troops serving overseas during the holidays. Last year, over 3,000 holiday greetings were collected. This year, the city hopes to send even more. Click for video.  

"New this year," said Mayor Jeff Wood, "we are organizing 'Thank a Soldier Saturday' on November 14 to make a big final push to collect as many cards and letters as possible. Let our soldiers know that you appreciate the sacrifices and the risks they are enduring while they are spending the holidays away from their own families. Businesses such as Cassidy's Corner Café, every McDonald's Restaurant in Lakewood, Allison Tutoring and Outback Steakhouse are participating." Click here for a complete list of partners and participating locations. More 

The Long Beach Press-Telegram newspaper honored 19 area women on November 10 at their sixth annual "Amazing Women" dinner. Original Lakewood resident Ricky Campbell was one of the honorees. Another was Sofia Riley, the co-owner of Thank Goodness It's Sofia catering, which serves The Centre at Sycamore Plaza in Lakewood.

Read all about Ricky, Sofia and the other Amazing Women here. Pictured above: Ricky Campbell (third from left) and Sofia Riley (fourth from left) along with the Lakewood City Council at Tuesday's Amazing Women event. More 

Many of the 2,000 residents that Lakewood Project Shepherd serves during the holidays are kids--kids who could really use a toy for the holidays. More