CHILLING OUT IN JULY SHERIFF'S EVENT COLLECTS TOYS WHILE PROVIDING POWDER ROOM.

Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - White powder and Christmas carols filled the 100-degree air Saturday as children clutching snowballs took aim at each other in a local parking-lot-turned-makeshift-winter-wonderland.

``You know what my favorite about all this - throw snowballs!'' said Leandra Theron, 4, of Valencia, running loose in some 20 tons of snow spread outside Mountasia Family Fun Center as part of the Santa Clarita sheriff's station's Christmas In July toy campaign.

For each new, unwrapped toy donated to the collection benefiting needy children, attendees got a free round of miniature golf, arcade tokens and entry into the snow patch.

Although the annual toy drive usually doesn't pick up until after Thanksgiving, sheriff's Deputy Gerri McCorkle said organizers wanted enough of a head start this year to open a storefront.

Children can shop for the toys they like, and it clears room at the sheriff's station, she said.

``We're trying to make sure we have enough toys for all the families,'' said McCorkle, a community relations deputy.

Inside, a sunglasses-clad Santa Claus - better known to some as Newhall sheriff's Deputy Joe Trejo - guarded a sleigh piled high with donated toy cars, stuffed animals and action figures.

``It's the perfect time to do this,'' said Courtney Bourdas-Henn, Mountasia's marketing director. ``It's 100 degrees outside. Snow is good.''

The icy powder donated by Newhall Ice Co. was good for a snowman, a couple of snow angels, and a lot of ammunition.

``It's cold,'' said Parker Darby, 2, of Valencia as she hurled a fistful of snow at her father. ``I make rocks.''

Indeed, the concept that snow can be fun takes getting used to for some.

``I grew up in the Midwest,'' said her father, Anthony Darby. ``I had to shovel this stuff.''

Jared Wonser, 6, had only one thought on his mind as he circled the snow field, taking aim at his brother Dylan, 3.

``Snowball fights!'' said Jared, of Saugus. ``It's kind of weird (playing in the snow midsummer), but it's fun.''

It was fun for his father, Cary Wonser, too. The 46-year-old Burbank native said the first time he played in snow was when he was 25.

``My parents weren't into it,'' he said. ``They grew up in Wisconsin. I had to wait till I was old enough to go by myself.''

But Patrick Raach, who owns a cellular store in Newhall and donated about $400 worth of toys to the event, decided to sit out of the rough-and- tumble action.

``I got another function I have to get over to,'' said Raach, 48, sipping a hot coffee. ``I got to stay clean.''

The Santa Clarita sheriff's station collects new, unwrapped toys year- round. Contact Deputy Gerri McCorkle at [phone] for more information.

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Santa Claus receives a toy donation from Leta Perrielo at the Christmas in July event Saturday.

(2 -- color) Steven Brotz, 8, heaves a snowball at Mountasia Family Fun Center during Christmas in July festivities.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer