By Melonie Magruder
Lookout Staff

December 16, 2011 -- Santa Monica residents and businesses donated enough presents during the holidays to make sure every child in the city can participate in the spirit of the season.

On Thursday night, members of the Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL), local residents and young volunteers from PS #1 (Pluralistic School) rolled up their sleeves and wrapped the results of the annual Best Gift Ever Toy Drive.

PAL has been sponsoring the gala gift-giving event in association with Downtown Santa Monica and Santa Monica Place for six years now, providing gifts for children who might not otherwise expect a visit from Santa this year due to family hardships and the tough economy.

Dianna McKennon, a volunteer with PAL for 16 years, festively wielded scissors and tape amidst a sea of wrapping paper.

Santa Monica residents and businesses help PAL wrap up gala gift. Photos by Brandon Wise

“I just love what PAL does,” she said. “Any time I can come out and help them, I do.”

During November and December, community residents and local businesses donate gifts at drop locations around the city. At the Wrap Party, volunteers sort and wrap some 500 gifts for children of all ages and needs. The gifts will then be handed out this Saturday at a Pancake Breakfast complete with Santa, a raffle and plenty of holiday cheer.

“A number of families in our community have lost their jobs and even their homes (to foreclosures) this year,” Downtown Santa Monica Communications Manager Ashley Walkley said. “The Toy Drive is a great way to show that we support each other here.”

Friends Jamie Solomon, 11, Juliana Ciccone, 9, and Maddie Boudov, also 9, all attend PS #1, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Frowning with concentration, they folded and taped wrapping paper on a pile of gifts.

“We often come to breakfast with Santa to pass out gifts for PAL,” said Juliana’s mom, Karen Ciccone. “This is the first time we’ve come to wrap. The girls really like to help.”

Fire Chief Scott Ferguson accepted the challenge of wrapping the more complicated gift donations, such as pogo sticks and footballs.

“I had heard that this community was amazing before I got here,” said Ferguson, who has been on the force for 18 months. “It’s all true. I’ve been working with PAL since I got here.”

Eula Fritz has been director of PAL for more than seven years. She said that the recent recession has been tough on the youth from unemployed and underemployed families.

“Saturday, we’ll serve 300 to 400 kids plus their parents,” Fritz said. “And that number keeps growing each year.

"The children come into the PAL center and write letters to Santa, saying what they want and we try to match up donations with all those requests. Sometimes, they just write, ‘All I want is a gift for my mom.’”

Indeed, seven-year-old Diego noted in his letter to Santa that he had been “very good at school and at home,” before asking for a Captain America two-wheel folding kick scooter. He won’t be disappointed on Saturday.

Gary simply wrote, “I’d like some food for my mom.” Several gift cards and a huge gourmet food basket await him.

“This city is so rich in resources and so committed,” Fritz said. “As a non-profit, it’s great to work with the city because people really know that their donations go straight to the kids.”

Jeff Klocke, board president of PAL, concurred. “I am amazed each year at how this community just stops and jumps in,” he said.

Photos by Brandon Wise

It wasn’t all work Thursday evening. The Ace of Hearts choral group, garbed in appropriate19th century winter attire, serenaded with a cappella carols and swinging versions of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

And, in a nod to the expansive mood of the celebration, they added, “We wish you a Merry Hanukah and a Happy Kwanzaa.”