GTWC and Paragon Tattoo Use Ink to Get Toys for Children by Shelby Horton - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

AUGUST
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 31 01
02 03 04 05 06 07 08
09 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

GTWC and Paragon Tattoo Use Ink to Get Toys for Children

By Shelby Horton, Staff Writer
December 21, 2016 at 01:14pm. Views: 165

MORENO VALLEY>> A toy in exchange for a tattoo is not the first thing many people would think of when trying to come up with a charity idea to help kids in need. But Julius Vargas, owner of Paragon Tattoo Studio located in Moreno Valley, and Debbie Earle, former Grand Terrace Women’s Club president and current publicist, said they saw it as a great way to give to the community during the holiday season. In 2010, while Earle was the President of the Grand Terrace Women’s Club, she was contacted by Vargas who had just opened a new tattoo studio in town. Vargas was looking for ways he could get involved in the community and help out those in need. He came up with the idea of giving away tattoos in exchange for unwrapped toys that could be donated to children in need. This is how “Toys for Tats” was born. “When I first presented it to the board they were a bit shocked at the idea, but these guys had kind hearts and wanted to help out the kids in our community,” Earle said. Now, the Grand Terrace Women’s Club has been partnering with Vargas and his tattoo shop for the last seven years with success. On Sunday, Dec. 11, Vargas and his staff offered to do 3X3 tattoos for people that brought in unwrapped toys that were worth $15. “I just wanted to help out the community and give something back to those who needed it,” Vargas said. This is all done in order to help the Women’s Club Child Help Program where they help out children in need. Paragon Tattoo Studio provides the toys, the Grand Terrace Women’s Club provides clothes, and Grand Terrace Lion’s Club and Women’s Club both provides Stater Bros. Market gift cards. This year Paragon Tattoo Studio was able to collect a total of 225 toys for the Child Help Program. “Julius was completely involved throughout everything, he is a man with a heart of gold,” Earle said. Earle said she was grateful for the hard work that Vargas and Paragon Tattoo did for their program and all the hard work the Grand Terrace Women’s Club Chairman, Claire Kidd, did to keep this program running in great shape. As for Vargas, he said that he is just happy to do it and give a helping hand to those in need.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller- Publisher, Community Writer

August 28, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 568

Mike Miller & Lori Miller, Restaurateurs of Timber Ridge Steakhouse, the newsest restaurant on Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino located in the familiar spot previously occupied by Claim Jumper, and for those of us "older folks", Bobby McGees. You can find Mike & Lori at 1905 Commercenter E San Bernardino CA, 92408

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 664

Fall 2026 Soaring Activity Guide is hitting the mail this week, and it’s chock-full of all the exciting things the City has planned throughout the Fall.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 598

When temperatures climb to 97 degrees and above, heat-sensitive residents may seek refuge at the City of Moreno Valley's designated cool centers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By WIlliam Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 606

he City of Moreno Valley has received the California Municipal Treasurers Association’s Investment Policy Certification, recognizing the City’s commitment to responsible and transparent management of public funds.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 761

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 730

Between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with deputies from patrol stations and personnel from partnering agencies, served 16 search warrants and contacted suspects throughout the county.

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 673

Bloomington residents gathered at Ayala Park on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating new improvements designed to enhance accessibility, safety and comfort for children and families.

Photo Courtesy of: Dr.G  (Dr Luis S González)

By Dr.G  (Dr Luis S González), Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 629

Kimberly Huerta, Youth Commissioner and Chair of Colton Youth Council and Dr.G, Council Member and Advisor to the program.

Photo Courtesy of: Dr.G (Luis S Gonzalez)

By Nick Zupkofska, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 631

All of the participants of the first Annual Earp Day event organized by CITYTALK w/DrG and the Colton Council of Churches.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT; conceptual image, not an official project rendering.

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 761

A conceptual view of the future Eloise Gómez Reyes Sports Complex – Juan Caldera Fields illustrates plans for expanded athletic and recreational opportunities in Colton, where new sports fields are expected to provide space for youth athletics, families, and community activities.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 804

Grand Terrace residents gather around a community planning map to discuss ideas and priorities for the city's future, reflecting the public participation encouraged through the Vision 2040 Community Survey.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 656

Crews work overnight on a railroad bridge above a Southern California freeway as motorists travel through a temporary construction zone. The work represents upcoming BNSF Railway bridge maintenance that will require an overnight closure of I-215 near Grand Terrace.

--> -->