ADIVSORY/Santa Gives Reindeer the Day Off; Auto Club Will Tow Him and Bundles of Toys to Holiday Party for Hospital Patients.

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Friday (Dec. 15)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT: The Automobile Club of Southern California and the LAPD SWAT Team will deliver more than 1,300 new donated toys -- and Santa Claus -- in a tow truck procession from Auto Club headquarters to Orthopaedic Hospital. The hospital is hosting its annual holiday party for approximately 1,000 young patients, many of whom have severe disabilities. About 25 tow trucks and 15 SWAT vehicles filled with toys will stream through the driveway arches of the historic Auto Club headquarters and travel two blocks to Orthopaedic Hospital, where they will be met by children attending the party.

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Procession starts at Auto Club headquarters, 2601 S. Figueroa St. (at Adams), and ends at the Orthopaedic Hospital parking lot on Hope Street (just south of 23rd St. and one block east of Figueroa).

WHY: The Automobile Club of Southern California hosts an annual holiday charity drive for organizations benefiting youngsters. In honor of its Centennial this year, the Club also asked members to give toys to youngsters who are treated at Orthopaedic Hospital. The hospital gives free or reduced-cost medical care to many severely disabled patients because their families cannot afford to pay for treatment. Orthopaedic gives out more than 10,000 toys annually to patients treated both at its Los Angeles facility and at its outpatient clinics throughout Southern California. The toys are used to comfort children who must undergo difficult and painful medical procedures, and also as an incentive for them to work hard at physical therapy and recovery.