Busy Time for Santa’s Helpers

Charitable groups, churches, fire stations and thoughtful individuals--all of whom lack those speedy reindeer--have begun the annual race to get thousands of presents to disadvantaged children across the county.

One group of elves, normally law students at Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, got a jump on things Friday when they loaded trucks bound for 200 abused and neglected children at Orangewood Children’s Home. Kids at UCI Medical Center’s cancer ward also received some of this bounty--plus a visit from Santa Claus.

Bobby Nelson, a 15-year-old Trabuco Canyon football player, collected 65 new presents for children from kids participating in one of his mother’s beauty pageants. He dropped them off at the Rancho Santa Margarita Fire Department as part of the “Spark of Love” campaign.

“I know that I have really been lucky and blessed in life,” Nelson said, “and it’s really fun to help others feel good too. Besides, it’s kind of a family thing that we like to do together.”

The “Spark of Love” is ongoing at most fire stations in the county. The firefighters will be hosting hundreds of children at holiday parties between now and Christmas. Many stations will accept new, unwrapped gifts for poor children through Christmas Eve.

Private enterprise has also gotten the spirit.

On Monday, G&L; Instruments in Fullerton will donate two electric guitars, along with lessons, to children spending Christmas at Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children.

“We hope this donation will encourage the children to strive for a dream they may have in music,” said John McLaren Jr., the company’s plant manager, who came up with the idea.

About 400 children living at the Eli Home, another shelter for the abused and neglected, will be heading to the Anaheim Hilton and Towers on Sunday to receive presents collected by the Anaheim Fire Department.