SANTA'S SELFLESS HELPERS; VOLUNTEERS SPEND YEAR FIXING TOYS FOR KIDS IN NEED.

Byline: John Sanders Staff Writer

Volunteer members of Santa's Workers of the Antelope Valley won't be able to see the gleam in children's eyes on Christmas morning when the youngsters open their presents.

But that doesn't take away from gratification of the 15 or so volunteers who help fix up toys to give to children from needy families.

``There's nothing better to do than to spend a day or so a week working on bikes or toys,'' said Wes Gray, one of the Santa's Workers volunteers. ``I think it's extremely gratifying.''

The volunteers, mostly aerospace industry retirees, spend three days a week at the old Palmdale General Hospital in Palmdale, working year-round fixing up toys and packaging them for the kids.

This year Santa's Workers will serve approximately 700 families and 1,100 kids, coordinator Zella Stone said. Next year they hope to get toys to help serve 4,000 youngsters, she said.

``Children are so special and I don't think enough interest is totally shown in our children today,'' Stone said. ``I don't think our children are being brought up with enough respect and enough inner integrity.''

This holiday season - their tenth - Santa's Workers are targeting youngsters through the statewide Healthy Start program at local schools. Parents whose children were identified in the Healthy Start program were sent letters letting them know about Santa's Workers. School nurses also refer kids they feel are in need.

Dolls, toy cars, sporting equipment, puzzles, games, stuffed animals and bicycles are among the gifts that are refurbished and given to the children. Some of the toys are already in good condition.

Each child gets a package that might include a book, a doll, a ball, a game and a puzzle. Each child also gets a stocking filled with small toys and candy.

Different packages contain different toys and parents can pick packages to fit their children.

``The purpose of Santa's Workers is to take a parent who is unfortunate in being laid off or disabled, and trying to leave them with some integrity,'' Stone said.

The used toys are collected by individuals, organizations and businesses in the community. Sanyo and Panasonic donated batteries. A company in Chicago donated toothbrushes. Wal-Mart donated toys and gave the workers a good price on items like basketballs and footballs.

Students at Mesquite Elementary School in Palmdale conducted their own toy drive.

``I think we're falling short on telling our children how important they are and making them feel important about themselves,'' Stone said. ``I think this program enables us to do a little something for a child to brighten their day and to give them a smile.''

Among the most popular presents are bicycles, which go to the parents who send in their requests earliest - about 13 for each school district.

Volunteers wash and repair bikes that are in poor condition. Even incomplete toys and games are saved, because they can be used to fix another toy if needed.

``It's great. It's really rewarding,'' volunteer worker Linda Darr said. ``We're helping out a lot of kids that wouldn't have maybe anything for Christmas. It's quite enjoyable.''

For more information or to donate, contact Stone at [phone] or fax her at [phone]. Or call director Lillian Tervort at [phone]. Both can also be reached at the workshop at [phone].

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5 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- 2 -- color) Santa's Workers volunteer Lois Gray, left and above, repairs a stuffed animal that will be given to a child for Christmas.

(3 -- 4 -- color) Bicycles are among the most popular presents Santa's Workers of the Antelope Valley give to school kids each year, about 13 in each district. The volunteer organization washes and repairs donated bikes that are in poor condition. At left, Wesley Gray pulls a bicycle out to be repaired. Above, Gordon Brockman works on a bike's chain.

(5) Santa's Workers volunteer Marlys Jewell stacks finished toys the organization will give to needy kids.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer