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Tania Zuniga mounted a trinket box outside her house after seeing similar boxes popping up in neighboring cities.<\/p>\n
Photo by Jackie Ramirez \/ Boyle Heights Beat<\/p>\n
This\u00a0article<\/a>\u00a0was originally published on April 20 by\u00a0the LA Local<\/a>, a nonprofit newsroom of the Los Angeles Local News Initiative.<\/p>\n East L.A.\u2014On a sidewalk near East Cesar Chavez Avenue in East Los Angeles, a small black-and-white checkered box sits outside a home. Open it, and it reveals a surprise: toy keychains, friendship bracelets, bubble blower, Disney figurines and other colorful knick-knacks.<\/p>\n
The trinkets are free, but with one catch: Visitors are encouraged to take an item and swap it with another fun treasure.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of a series of trinket trade boxes popping up across Los Angeles County, including Rosemead, El Monte and Whittier. The exchanges have also gained traction on TikTok, where videos of similar displays continue to circulate. A Worldwide Sidewalk Joy map<\/a> on Google details where they are taking place.<\/p>\n East LA resident Tania Zuniga mounted it outside her house a few weeks ago after seeing similar boxes popping up in neighboring cities.<\/p>\n The East Los Trinket box invites neighbors to take a trinket and leave one in return.<\/p>\n Photo by Jackie Ramirez \/ Boyle Heights Beat<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t see one in East LA or around Boyle Heights, so I told my husband, \u2018I\u2019m going to make one \u2026 for the community,\u2019\u201d Zuniga said.<\/p>\n Amid a news cycle of immigration raids and a war in Iran, Zuniga said the trinket box \u201ccan bring a little joy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see kids coming and they\u2019re excited. I can hear them from inside screaming with their parents like, \u2018Oh my God, this is so cute!\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Zuniga also runs the EastLosTrinketBox TikTok,<\/a> establishing rules and posting updates of the trove\u2019s latest items. Zuniga asks participants to be respectful of her neighborhood and that they not leave inappropriate items in the box.<\/p>\n She has noticed dirty or broken trinkets being left inside.<\/p>\n \u201cI made this for the East LA community \u2026 and I just want to be sanitary and fair and considerate and also a trinket box full of integrity,\u201d she told her TikTok followers.<\/p>\n Growing up in the \u201890s, Zuniga said she loves collecting nostalgia items, such as the retro Halloween McNugget buddies. That love is part of what inspired her to start the box in the first place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love finding those and buying them, she said. \u201c I consider those trinkets, so I was excited to start [this].\u201d<\/p>\n Visit the trinket box:<\/p>\n Address: East Cesar Chavez Avenue and North McDonnell Avenue<\/p>\n Find them on TikTok: @eastlostrinketbox<\/p>\n Rules:<\/p>\n 1. Be fair with trades<\/p>\n 2. Nothing inappropriate<\/p>\n 3. No food, candy or snacks<\/p>\n 4. Be safe<\/p>\n 5. Box is closed after 11 p.m.<\/p>\n 6. Be respectful of neighbors and property<\/p>\n 7. Do not park in driveways<\/p>\n 8. Respect all rules<\/p>\n More by Alejandra Molina<\/a><\/p>\n Support Eastside Community News \u2014 Now Tax-Deductible<\/p>\n You can now make a tax-deductible contribution to support The Eastsider\u2019s civic and accountability coverage on the Eastside.<\/p>\n Choose what works for you: <\/p>\n \u2022 Become a monthly supporter and help us reach 500 neighbors funding daily reporting<\/p>\n \u2022 Make a single gift to our new Eastside Community News Fund<\/p>\n Strong local news keeps residents informed and leaders accountable.<\/p>\n Thank you for your consideration.<\/p>\n \u2014Jes\u00fas Sanchez, Publisher<\/p>\n
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