CHRISTMAS SPIRIT LIVES AS FOLKS RUSH TO REPLACE STOLEN TOYS.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Staff Writer

The Christmas spirit brought dozens of do-gooders bearing gifts to a North Hollywood homeless shelter Wednesday. They came to replace toys stolen by Grinch burglars from needy children.

More than 200 people - many keeping themselves anonymous - donated 600-plus toys and about $3,500 in cash and checks to the shelter that serves needy children throughout the San Fernando Valley, said Jeffrey Farber, assistant director for the Los Angeles Family Housing shelters.

On a normal day, the shelter receives about 20 gifts near the holidays.

The Daily News spotlighted the shelter's needs with a front-page story Wednesday.

``It is the most amazing outpouring of support I have ever witnessed . . . It makes you real proud to be a part of the San Fernando community,'' Farber said.

Some people, like Lysa Barry, owner of Barry & Associates, a media relations firm based in Woodland Hills, rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to help sort through the overflow of toys.

``For me, Christmas is about the celebration of life, which is truly seen through a child's eyes. The Grinch may have taken their toys, but we can all pull together as a community to bring back their joys,'' said Barry, whose firm donated about 50 gifts.

Donors filling the shelter's parking lot on Wednesday were forced to pull up to red curbs to donate gifts to the Valley shelter at 7843 Lankershim Blvd.

As a police officer readied to write traffic tickets, a shelter official explained how people were replacing stolen gifts, said Ann Jacobus, executive director of the shelters.

``The officer then said, `I'm going on my coffee break now,' '' Jacobus said.

Burglars had stolen about 60 unwrapped gifts, valued at about $1,000, from the shelter sometime between 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 8 a.m. on Dec. 13 - mostly getting away with toys intended for newborns to 4-year-olds, police said.

There were no signs of forced entry, police said. A door may have been left ajar.

On Wednesday, donors struggled to think of a reason why thieves would steal from innocent children.

``It's almost like stealing their soul and the spirit of Christmas. You can always replace a toy. These people don't realize they're not stealing an object. They're stealing a feeling,'' said Mary Ellen Hopper, 44, who donated about 30 toys.

Harbour Community, a homeless shelter for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, rerouted their extra 70 donated gifts that would have been saved for birthdays to the North Hollywood shelter.

Danny Garcia, 54, a Chatsworth man who said he is walking around the world on a peace mission, even vowed to walk about 30 miles from Chatsworth to the shelter knocking on doors to get even more donations today while on his Christmas break at home.

``I felt my stomach drop and I knew we've got to do something. Why would someone steal gifts from homeless children? It doesn't make sense,'' Garcia said.

But by the end of the day, shelter officials told him not to worry - they had received enough gifts.

Shelter officials said they will find plenty of needy children to give the gifts to - even if it's to another sister shelter. And the children will now get more than one gift.

The director had a message to all the donors:

``I can only say thank you,'' Jacobus said. ``We will have the best Christmas ever for our children. You made it happen.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Volunteer Jared Irmas and property manager Blanca Gonzalez assemble packages of toys that will be given to needy families.

(2) Megan Thielen, 10, and father Rick Thielen, both of Mission Hills, arrive with toys and clothing.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer