Countywide : Donated Gifts Sought for Needy Children

Civic groups, businesses, organizations and volunteers are collecting new clothes, toys and other gifts for needy children as part of Operation Santa Claus, a countywide effort to provide Christmas gifts to youths separated from their parents or recently reunited.

Businesses throughout the county are asking employees to donate gifts, and the city of Brea is asking the public to drop off presents at the Police Department, at Number One Civic Center Drive, or at the city’s four fire stations until Dec. 18.

The infant through 17-year-old gift recipients live at the Orangewood Children’s Home, other group or foster homes, with welfare families or with families they once were separated from, said Joanne Noyes, coordinator of Operation Santa Claus. She said she hopes to receive enough gifts for more than 16,000 children this year.

“It’s such a treat to see these children who would have had nothing for Christmas and, all of a sudden, they have gifts in front of them--something that’s solely belongs to them,” Noyes said.

In past years, most of the donated gifts were appropriate for toddlers and grade-school children. This year, organizers are also urging people to donate gifts for teen-agers: transistor radios, cassette tapes, hair dryers, purses, wallets, sports equipment, cameras, cosmetics, art supplies, books or musical instruments.

“Everybody likes to buy for a small child and so we’re always short on gifts for teen-agers,” said John H. Sandy, chairman of Brea’s Operation Santa Claus effort.

Donors who cannot drop off their gifts are asked to call (714) 778-1029 for pickups.