FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Students Organize Toy Drive for Needy

Santa Claus, chauffeured in a 1949 firetruck, arrived a little late Friday morning to Carden School of Fountain Valley.

He was late because of a pit stop for gas. On top of that, the newer fire engine that was escorting him broke down.

But students at the school didn’t mind Santa’s tardiness.

All that mattered was that Santa came to pick up more than 100 toys the students collected for needy children.

“Lots of children this year will go without presents,” said eighth-grader Elizabeth Le Huynh, 13, of Garden Grove.

So students of the Carden Service Club organized a toy drive, and donations will be given to Operation Santa Claus.

“We felt it was our responsibility because we take things for granted,” said sixth-grader Achi Khoja, 12, who collected $157 in cash donations from students and her Fountain Valley neighbors.

Club president Kaarsten White, 10, of Huntington Beach said that because students feel fortunate to be able to attend a private school and that their parents have jobs, they wanted to help other children who aren’t so lucky.

“It feels nice to get presents, and I think the less fortunate should have the same feeling too,” added Rachael Felkner, 11, of Garden Grove.

The special toy pickup was organized by Capt. Steve Nagel of the Fountain Valley Fire Department. The Fountain Valley Historical Society owns the vintage firetruck that delivered Santa, he said.

“It was a hectic morning,” Nagel said. “But it seems to be for a worthy cause.”

School Principal Linda Updegraf said she was proud that her students organized the charity toy drive, in which they brought new, unwrapped toys such as Barbie dolls, puzzles, board games and stuffed animals.

“They did a pretty good job. Not everybody is affluent,” she said of students’ parents. “There are parents who sacrifice to send their children here. But they all have the right spirit of giving.”