CHURCH HOSTING HOLIDAY DINNER, GIFT EXCHANGE FOR NEEDY.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - Dan Borunda of Shepherd's Community Church is looking forward to seeing the children's faces at his church next Saturday.

And for good reason.

The nondenominational Canoga Park church is hosting a holiday dinner for local needy families and organizers will distribute gifts for children ages 12 and under at the event.

``This is not a church drive for membership,'' said Borunda, a lay leader for the church's local outreach ministry. ``It's to help someone out during the holiday season and to bring some Christmas cheer to our community.''

The Rev. Paul Brown, who said he is proud of his ``incredible family of believers'' working on the event, credits Borunda for ``having some great ideas.''

``We are always looking to how we can give to the community. There are extremely wealthy people on one side of us and really poor on the other side. We want to expand our ministry to include those who need help,'' Brown said.

Borunda came up with the idea for the holiday dinner two years ago after organizing a group to canvass the community and determine what residents most needed.

``We found out that there are many lower-income families and also big families. We asked ourselves, what can we do to meet the needs of our community?'' Borunda said.

The organizers have been planning the holiday event for much of the year. About two to three weeks ago, the church sent out 4,000 mailers to residents in Canoga Park and surrounding areas. And a banner announcing the dinner and gift giveaway has been in front of the church for several weeks.

The church also has contacted local restaurants to ask for dinner donations for the 6 p.m. Dec. 16 event. Due to the variety of ethnic restaurants that have agreed to provide food, the menu will be more eclectic than traditional Christmas holiday fare.

Some of the items from local restaurants that have signed up include the Mexican cuisine of Sierra's, Acapulco and Chuy's and Italian specialities from the Pizza Cookery and Ameci.

The guest list has grown to about 500 people. The church has set Sunday for the last day to R.S.V.P. to guarantee enough food for everyone. Organizers invited more restaurants and bakeries to call the church to donate food.

``We still need someone to donate rolls,'' Borunda said. ``Based on the calls we've received, there are some sincere needs out there at this time. Mothers have called, saying, Will you have gifts for my kids? People are very excited about it. What we're attempting is huge. I don't know of any other church that has attempted this. We're relying on God, but we're also relying on local restaurants,'' Borunda said.

The church's fellowship hall will be decorated for the event and members of the congregation and community volunteers will provide musical entertainment during the dinner. A musical program, a seasonal message from Brown and then what the children will be waiting for, the gift giveaway, will complete the evening.

Toy retailers and the public are asked to donate new, wrapped toys for children from infants through age 12. Donors are requested to indicate on the package the age of the child and whether the gift is for a boy or girl.

``The dinner gives us an opportunity to minister to the real needs. We hope to encourage them by the meal and the gifts but also to help them spiritually. We would like to develop a long-term commitment with those who come to the event,'' Brown said. ``Hopefully, when people ask themselves where can they go if they need help, they will think of coming to us.''

Borunda, who became a Christian in 1980, said his enthusiasm for training others to communicate the Christian faith and his dedication to community outreach has become a ``burning passion.''

``The goals that we've worked for from day one are that when people leave they feel that they were welcomed and loved. We hope they have a clearer feeling about what the Christmas season is all about, the birth of Jesus as a gift of God. If they feel that, then we've accomplished something. For me, it's like a dream I had is coming true.''

Reservations for the holiday dinner must be made by Sunday. Donations of new, wrapped toys will be accepted until the day of the event, Dec. 16. Restaurants, bakeries and toy retailers are invited to call the church to donate for the event. Shepherd's Community Church, 22222 Saticoy St., Canoga Park. Call [phone].

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Photo:

The Rev. Paul Brown, left, and Dan Borunda display some of the gifts donated for the church's holiday dinner and gift exchange.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer