True Spirit of Holidays Revived in Aiding Needy

Goaded by a seemingly endless litany of toy commercials on television, children hop on the laps of shopping mall Santas with wish lists that routinely total several hundred dollars.

It takes considerable effort to impart the true spirit of giving to children during the holidays.

But it’s hard to put the blame on children. If they were exposed to foster children, institutionalized children and homeless families for a fraction of the time they are bombarded by Teddy Ruxpin, skateboards and Esprit for Kids, they might have a different perspective.

It takes parents to point out that Christmas is not a time of unmitigated joy for everyone. It takes parents to show children how they can help make the day better for someone else.

One of the best ways to introduce children to the concept of charity is to make giving a personal experience. Here is a sampling of organizations that are soliciting toys and food for local families.

Sugar Plum Tree, Topanga Plaza (818-883-9670). Community Assistance to Homeless Youngsters (CATHY) sponsors this annual wish tree. Situated on the lower level near the Broadway, the tree is hung with cards bearing the names of foster children and a gift each would like to receive. All wishes are under $20. People are asked to choose a child, buy the gift and return it unwrapped to the volunteer at the desk. The deadline is Dec. 14.

Toys For Tots (818-705-1318). The Marines organize one of the most ambitious toy drives in the country. Last year, the U.S. Marine Reserve office in Encino collected 31,000 toys. The Marines do not give out toys directly but act as a clearinghouse for dozen of smaller organizations that deal directly with families in distress.

A number of area businesses have put out collection bins: most Fred Sands Realty offices, most Jon Douglas Realty offices, Woodland Hills Financial Center (21031 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills), Sumitomo Bank (15250 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks), Burbank Studios, Northridge Mall (Padrinos and Don Ricardo restaurants). A call to the Marines will give you the location of a bin close to home. This drive seeks new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 16. The greatest need is items for teen-agers. No food, clothing or used toys. The deadline is Dec. 19.

Toys for Porterville, KABC (213-557-5174). Weatherman Dr. George Fischbeck is spearheading this holiday drive for the 15th year. It is a bit of a misnomer since only 50 of the 1,300 physically and mentally handicapped residents of Porterville Development Center are under 18. The drive is seeking fewer toys and more items that would appeal to adults: athletic equipment (footballs, soccer balls, fishing gear, camping items), cosmetics, purses, perfumes, sunglasses, arts-and-crafts supplies, board games. Clothing is discouraged. All new, unwrapped items may be dropped off at any Baskin-Robbins store. The deadline is Dec. 20.

Guadalupe Youth Center (21000 Hart St., Canoga Park 818-340-2050). This agency has served the low-income, Latino community of Canoga Park and Northridge since 1949. Through its emergency food pantry, the center has identified families who will need both food and toy donations this Christmas. Food needs include canned fruits and vegetables, tomato sauce, baby food, rice, beans and flour. Toys are needed for children ages 3 to 12. Donors may wrap gifts but these should include a note identifying the contents. The center will host a Christmas party where Santa will pass out the donations. The deadline is Dec. 15.

MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity, 13443 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, 818-896-0246). Serving low-income families in the northeast San Fernando Valley, MEND is seeking new toys for infants to age 12. “We don’t need stuffed animals. We get plenty of them,” said Sister Becky. “But we do need items especially for 11- to 14-year-olds: games, school supplies, paperback books.” The center also needs canned food, including cake mixes, cereal and canned hams. The deadline is Dec. 19. Donors should call before delivering to make sure someone is available to accept the donations.

San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council (6850 Van Nuys Blvd., suite 110, Van Nuys, 818-781-3111). The council sponsors several year-round food pantries, from Pacoima to Woodland Hills, which serve very poor and/or homeless families. At Christmas time, the council tries to expand its offering to these families. They are seeking donations of food (including baby food, turkeys and hams), toilet articles (soap, toothpaste and other essentials), children’s clothing (both new and good-condition used), diapers and toys. They prefer wrapped items, tagged with the appropriate age and sex. The deadline is Dec. 19 for toys and gifts, Dec. 24 for food.

Santa Clarita Valley Special Children’s Center (23045 Lyons Ave., Newhall, 805-259-9439). Toy donations here will go to the center’s sexually and physically abused children, most of whom come from low-income families. Many are living in foster homes. The center treats children from infancy through age 17, but most of their clients are in the 2- to 6-year-old range and their greatest need is for toys for those years. The agency would prefer wrapped and tagged toys and welcomes clothing (new and used) as well. The deadline is Dec. 12.

Lull Special Education Center (17551 Miranda St., Encino, 818-609-8421). This newly opened school has an enrollment of 112 preschool through sixth-grade students who are autistic, emotionally disturbed, retarded or physically handicapped. Many come from financially needy homes and these are the children the school would like to provide toys for. Suggested donations include transformers, coloring books and dolls. The deadline is Dec. 17. Call first.

Boys and Girls Club (11251 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima, 818-896-5261). The club’s children are from 7 to 17 years old and are East Valley residents from low-income families. Toys, either wrapped or unwrapped, should be delivered by Dec. 15 so that they can be ready for the club’s Christmas party.

Angel Tree, Sherman Oaks Galleria (818-781-5739). This is the Salvation Army’s major toy effort in the Valley. More than 1,000 tags decorate the tree, each one identifying a needy child by first name and age. These children all live in the Valley and many are from once-homeless families. Shoppers pick tags and return wrapped gifts, of their own choosing, to the tree. The tree is open from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Although gifts are accepted until Christmas eve, only gifts received by Dec. 18 are assured of reaching the children by Christmas. Tree volunteers, who report that many donors buy more than one present for the child they select, can help shoppers “adopt” families by locating all the appropriate tags.