Santa Makes Early Delivery at Shelter

Santa Claus took time off from his busy late-December schedule to give early Christmas presents to the children of homeless parents in the San Fernando Valley and East Los Angeles on Sunday.

Saint Nick made his grand entrance not by reindeer but in a 1923 Ford Model-T hot rod in the ninth annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Party at the L.A. Family Housing Corp.’s Valley Shelter in North Hollywood.

“Ho, ho, ho! The darned reindeers wanted the day off! Ho, ho, ho!” bellowed Santa, played by Todd Parker, president of Continental Coin and Jewelry in Sepulveda, the event’s sponsor since its inception.

More than 1,000 packaged toys, stuffed animals, sports equipment and T-shirts donated by local residents were distributed to 300 children whose parents live in transitional centers, which provide temporary shelters for homeless families.

“This is really a wonderful thing because it allows children of homeless families who ordinarily would not be receiving presents for Christmas to get toys,” said Tracy A. Wallace, director of development at the Valley Shelter.

The 30 families living at the Valley Shelter, along with Cherno House and Triangle House in East Los Angeles, lined up to meet Santa and receive toys.

In addition to Santa, the children were greeted by actor Tyrone Burton, who portrays a homeless teen in the WB sitcom “Parenthood.”

Serving as one of Santa’s helpers, the 18-year-old actor said his role on television has given him greater understanding for the children of homeless parents.

Moreover, as a youth growing up in Boston, Burton temporarily lived in a homeless center similar to the Valley Shelter.

“I know what it’s about because I used to live in a shelter when I was 8 or 9,” Burton said. “It’s for the kids, man. To help out and support them. I’m glad to be here.”

After receiving their toys, the children frolicked in 13 tons of snow provided by the North Hollywood Ice Co., which used a large snow gun to convert chunks of ice into the powdery white stuff at the shelter.