GENEROUS SPIRIT AIDS KIDS FAMILIES GET HOLIDAY CHEER.Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer PACOIMA - Rocio Gallegos could scarcely believe her eyes Wednesday: In front of her stood a brand-new bike, still wrapped in plastic. The daughter of a single immigrant mother struggling to make ends meet, the 10-year-old Pacoima girl gazed admiringly at the pink-and-white toy as she cradled two more gifts on her lap. ``I always wished for a bike,'' she said shyly. This year, Rocio's wish came true, thanks to the Valley Economic Development Center, which held its third annual holiday adopt-a-family program Wednesday at the Pacoima Community Center. About 50 needy need·y adj. need·i·er, need·i·est 1. Being in need; impoverished. See Synonyms at poor. 2. Wanting or needing affection, attention, or reassurance, especially to an excessive degree. families were invited to the early Christmas celebration, which featured a Spanish-speaking Santa, piles piles: see hemorrhoids. of presents for the children, supermarket gift certificates for the adults and a big dose of holiday cheer for everyone. ``For a lot of these families, this year, this is all they are going to get,`` said Gloria Lazalde, one of the Economic Development Center's career counselors. The families are participants in the Pacoima Workforce Development Initiative, a program sponsored by the Economic Development Center, which provides job training, immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. assistance, and other services for low-income Pacoima residents. ``We help them get training, immigration assistance, jobs, anything they need to break through the barriers - and there are a lot in the Northeast San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. - and get work and become productive people,'' development center spokeswoman Kerry Aubry said. Some parents were laid off in recent months, like Jocelyn Wynn, whose employer folded last July. Although her husband of two years still works, their blended family Blended family A family formed by the remarriage of a divorced or widowed parent. It includes the new husband and wife, plus some or all of their children from previous marriages. Mentioned in: Family Therapy includes seven children - ```The Brady Bunch' plus one, and minus the dog and Alice,'' Wynn joked. And with only one breadwinner bread·win·ner n. One whose earnings are the primary source of support for one's dependents. bread·win  ning n. , the family is in a financial bind, she said.
``I did not expect this,'' Wynn said, eyeing the pile of gifts for her children. ``I thought maybe one gift or...'' Wynn said, her voice trailing off. ``This is pretty cool.'' Armed with wish lists from the families, economic development employees shopped for gifts. The center also received support from companies including Mattel, Prudential Foundation, Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care organization, based in Oakland, California, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. and Carsey Warner Productions. For many, Wednesday's event was exciting and emotional. Paula Moreno got choked choke v. choked, chok·ing, chokes v.tr. 1. To interfere with the respiration of by compression or obstruction of the larynx or trachea. 2. a. up and couldn't speak when asked what her family hoped to find in their wrapped boxes - shoes for her 16-year-old boy and jackets for her three children. The community center buzzed with youthful excitement as children and teens claimed their presents. ``I already know what's in there,'' said 13-year-old Brenda Rosales, grinning with anticipation at one gift bearing her name. ``There's a CD, earphones, and I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what in this one,'' she said of another. For many families, it was just a time of thanks. ``Gracias a Dios,'' said Maria Gallegos, as she watched daughter Rocio with her new bike. ``Because I didn't have enough money.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Patricia Ruiz holds a balloon from Santa at the Pacoima Community Center. The Valley Economic Development Center sponsored the event. (2) dtpost!Ryan Arce, 1, seems to find Santa more scary than jolly at Wednesday's gift-giving event. Michael Owen
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