Economy Takes Toll on Toy Giveaway

The line began forming at 7 a.m. Thursday, and by early evening it reached around the block in downtown Los Angeles. Thousands of mothers and children waited patiently to claim a special Christmas treat: their choice of one of 5,000 toys distributed at what has become a bittersweet tradition.

Five thousand coupons, printed in English and Spanish, had been distributed to needy children in the area by neighborhood service organizations. Each was numbered and redeemable for one toy of the child’s choosing.

Blanca Ruiz, 30, was second in line. She had arrived early at the offices of Central City Neighborhood Partners, the nonprofit group that hosted the giveaway, to ensure that her daughter, Erica Paniagua, 9, got what she wanted: something Barbie-related.

“It’s beautiful, this event,” Ruiz said.

Children were greeted by an odd assembly of volunteer elves: a group of Aztec dancers, a couple of politicians and a crew of firefighters from Fire Station 11.

“Who wants a SpongeBob?” asked fireman Rick Villata, waving a palm-sized package in the air. “He talks!”

“I do!” said Christian Ortega, 12.

Fireman Paul Pham tried to sell the fabric-covered binders that sat in a stack on the floor, largely ignored by kids coveting Barbie, race cars and Disney stuffed animals.

“Pokemon?” offered Ryan Kendal, also with Fire Station 11, holding a toy aloft.

Paul Mercado, 10, chose a Harry Potter Snake Bites Candy Maker instead.

State Sen. Gil Cedillo, a Los Angeles Democrat whose office organizes the toy drive, said that, after 9/11, he asked the firefighters to join the event, now in its fifth year.

Last year, 10,000 toys were distributed. This year, despite large donations by Megatoys, Albertsons and Kodak, only 5,000 toys were stacked along the wall.

“With the bad economy, it’s been hard to organize the toys,” Cedillo said. Gesturing to the children clutching coupons, he added: “But that’s when they need it most.”

It took Erica Paniagua less than a minute to choose her gift: a stylishly-dressed Kayla doll, made by Mattel and touted as a “friend of Barbie.” As carolers sang “Jingle Bells,” she took her mother’s hand and walked outside.