There was a story behind the two...

There was a story behind the two rows of new shoes lined up neatly in front of First Presbyterian Church in Orange on Saturday.

Seven years ago when the staff of nearby St. Joseph Hospital’s physical rehabilitation department decided to bring Christmas cheer to homeless children by throwing a party, one of the kids asked Santa for a new pair of shoes.

The boy’s excitement upon receiving them was palpable, said Diane Barrows, the department’s director of mission services who was there.

“He ripped his old shoes off,” she recalled, and “those of us watching were in tears.”

Thus was born a tradition: the hospital’s annual Motel Christmas Party where children “who have nothing, not even an address” get new shoes -- and much more.

The 60-plus children who attended the 3 1/2-hour event Saturday also received gifts from individual wish lists they had submitted earlier as well as new wool blankets, bags of food and backpacks filled with stuffed animals, soccer balls, T-shirts and hats.

“My favorite part was getting the presents,” said Tiffanie Dukes, 8, whose family lives in a Santa Ana shelter.

“I got what I wanted: a black shirt, black jacket and black pants,” Tiffanie said.

Said Terry Valencia, also 8, who received two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figurines: “I’m happy. They’re cool.”

The event is planned months in advance, Barrows said, and the organizers recruit the children -- generally 4- to 17-year-olds -- from Project HOPE, a transitional school housed at First Presbyterian that serves homeless families.

Volunteers also prepare entertainment for the kids. This year they were treated to caroling by Girl Scout Troop 2302 from Aliso Viejo and a cheerleading demonstration by the Woodbridge High School Cheer Squad of Irvine. Santa Claus and Pinky the Elf made appearances too.

“I’m one of 500 elves up at the North Pole and I’m 34 inches tall,” Pinky, a professional entertainer who was dressed in green despite her name, told the kids.

Other activities included crafts, face-painting, a lunch of peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches and the chance to get up close and personal with a group of dogs rescued from local shelters.

“It’s a very big deal for them,” Barrows said of the kids.

“I want them to get the feeling that they are truly loved and cared for. I want them to have two or three hours of just being in the presence of total happiness.”