A Christmas for the Ages

Ollie Powell Jr. isn’t exactly used to those picture-perfect Christmases, with immaculately wrapped gifts nestled under the boughs of a decorated tree.

Because his family is homeless and money is scarce, the ebullient 6-year-old, along with his four brothers and sisters, usually receives gifts that are practical, like a pair of old shoes or a jacket.

But this year was different, maybe because Christmas really is a time for miracles, both big and small.

“I got a race car,” Ollie said, anxiously trying to contain himself while the batteries charged. “And a basketball because I like Michael Jordan, he’s my favorite player you know.”

Ollie was among more than 40 disadvantaged children, staying with their families at the old Camarillo State Hospital, who were treated to a measure of Christmas cheer uncommon in their young lives.

Organized by administrators and volunteers at the makeshift shelter, Thursday’s Christmas celebration included everything a Christmas should: stockings bulging with sweet goodies and miniature knickknacks, hundreds of donated gifts, food and even a morning visit from jolly St. Nick, who spread a wide smile on the faces of the youngsters.

Altogether, more than 600 gifts were donated from organizations such as the Ventura County fire and sheriff’s departments, community groups and caring individuals who didn’t want any child to spend the holiday without some cheer.

“It’s nice just to see them smile,” Ollie Powell Sr. said while gazing at his children as they played with their gifts. “That’s their best present.”

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Penny Lauifi, a shy 11-year-old sporting a green bow picked off one of her presents, said she wasn’t sure if there was even going to be a Christmas this year.

“I didn’t think we were even going to have a home,” she said softly while gazing down at the floor. “I thought we’d have to stay outside.”

Instead, Penny spent the morning skipping around in a new pair of slippers and playing with a toy sandcastle.

She arrived at the shelter with her two sisters about a week ago after their mother left a shelter for abused women. This is the third time they have found themselves without a home.

“I’m having fun and I didn’t think I would,” she said before helping her sister sweep up the torn scraps of wrapping paper. “I’m glad my whole family is here.”

At the other end of the county, there were some residents, like 73-year-old Barbara Belfor, who didn’t have any family to spend the holiday with. But she didn’t let that stand in her way.

She joined more than 400 people, mostly senior citizens, who crowded into the cafeteria at Thousand Oaks High School to enjoy one another’s company and a traditional feast of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie.

“If I didn’t come here I’d probably have made myself a tuna fish sandwich and been depressed,” Belfor said. “But look at me, I’m smiling.”

Organized by Conejo Valley Community Dinners and temples Adat Elohim, Etz Chaim and Beth Haverim, the fourth annual Christmas dinner attracted everyone from the homeless to seniors, many of whom are widowed and without a family to spend the holidays.

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“The best thing about this is that I get to visit with people I don’t see very often,” said 88-year-old Pat Hughes, who has been coming to the holiday get-together since it began. “It’s wonderful. It puts some cheer into Christmas.”

And for the volunteers as well.

“It’s very satisfying,” said Donn Delson, a leader of Conejo Valley’s Jewish community and organizer of the event.

“It gives people who don’t have a place to be for Christmas a place, and that’s very nice.”