SANTA ANA : 3,000 Party Guests Share Labor of Love

Imelda Ventura, 11, said she appreciated the massive party held this week for low-income families and was especially grateful that she would receive a toy by night’s end.

“I like getting toys and giving them to someone else,” she said, adding her thanks for the groups that organized the event because “they help the poor people.”

Imelda was one of 3,000 children and adults who attended Tuesday’s annual Christmas party at Templo Calvario, an event that organizers said has grown substantially the past two years as a result of the recession.

“People who used to be engineers are now living out of their cars,” said senior pastor Daniel de Leon. But at the party, he added, “everyone’s going to get a little something.”

This year, the “little something” included toy trucks and dolls for children, blankets and sweaters for adults. Also, the first 14 children through the door received wrapped boxes--some as big as the children themselves--that contained other toys.

Maria Torres, 12, said she was happy about the party and presents, adding: “I’m not going to get a lot, but I’m going to get more than last year.”

The celebration, sponsored by Obras de Amor, or Labor of Love, and the Santa Ana Elks Lodge, featured a visit from Santa Claus and songs sung by a children’s choir.

Obras de Amor is a nonprofit organization that distributes clothing and food to the poor and provides money to pay utility bills.

Isabel Monje, director of the organization, said she hopes that the event will brighten the holidays for families that have little this year.

“I love to show love and let them know that we care about them, and (help) so that they can have Christmas like everyone else,” she said.