SANTA ANA : Cops Show Their Santa Side at Mammoth Toy Giveaway

Smiling and clutching a colorful toy helicopter still in its wrapping, Joey Ceja, 10, praised the police officers and other volunteers who threw a massive holiday party for community children Wednesday night.

“It’s very good of them to give toys to people. I want to tell them, ‘Thanks for the toys,’ ” he said.

Joey was one of about 5,000 people--mostly children--who attended the fourth annual “Christmas Celebration,” sponsored by the Police Department’s Westend Division. During the three-hour party, children received dolls, teddy bears and other toys and also visited Santa Claus.

Even before the party started at the Lucky Shopping Center on McFadden Avenue, hundreds of children and their families had lined up.

While they waited, choral group and bands from local high schools performed renditions of “Deck the Halls,” “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and other holiday favorites. Clowns and magicians wandered about.

Lt. Bill Tegeler, who commands the Westend Division, said that the yearly party offers the department a way to give back to the community, especially because so many of the children who receive presents come from low-income families.

“For many of them, this is the only Christmas they get. It’s fun just to see the kids’ eyes light up when they see Santa Claus,” he said.