STOCKING WITH CARE NEW STOREFRONT IS COMBINING TASKS TO MAKE HOLIDAYS BRIGHT.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Santa's got a new workshop at City Hall this year.

The Santa Clarita Valley Holiday Storefront in Suite 100 - the former Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce - blends resources and information with the goal of making holiday magic for families in need.

The storefront is a combined effort of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Santa Clarita Valley station, the city of Santa Clarita, the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, Single Mothers Outreach and the local Domestic Violence Center.

With a Christmas tree towering in the foyer and office windows painted with snowmen and stockings, ornaments hang from the ceiling and shelves are loaded with dolls, tea sets, art kits, models, trucks, footballs, board games, action figures and coloring books - toys all donated by local residents or companies.

``The Sheriff's Department has been doing this for 16 years,'' said Deputy and Head Elf Gerry McCorkle. ``People would drop off toys at the station and we'd store them wherever we could find a nook or cranny.''

The storefront solves both storage and delivery dilemmas. Parents register at one of the four nonprofit organizations, which combine data in an effort to make distribution more equitable.

Those with vouchers will be allowed to choose up to three toys for each child in their family. Organizers are also asking for a $1 donation per toy from recipients in an attempt to ``pay it forward'' and support future storefronts.

``Last year, we delivered 500 bags of toys,'' McCorkle said, surveying the shelves full of toys. ``We still need things for infants and teenagers; that's always the age groups where we're short.''

Belinda Crawford, executive director of the Food Pantry, said the rising number of people coming to the pantry might cause a boost in voucher requests as well.

Most of the toys on the shelves came from a Christmas In July event at Mountasia at which more than 1,000 toys were collected. Community members will have an opportunity to make their donations at the toy-drive kickoff Thursday night, when the sheriff's custody bus will be parked in front of Power Honda on Magic Mountain Parkway.

Vouchers are available at the Food Pantry, 24133 Railroad Ave., Newhall; Single Mothers Outreach, 18333 Dolan Way No. 208, Canyon Country; the Domestic Violence Center, 23630 San Fernando Road, Suite C, Newhall; and the Community Center, 24406 San Fernando Road, Newhall.

Hours for the storefront at 23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 100, are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 10 and 17 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 11 and 18. Gifts and toys can be donated at the sheriff's station at 23740 Magic Mountain Parkway or left in various collection boxes scattered throughout the community.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) Sheriff's Sgt. Gregg Lewison brings in a large box of toys at the new Santa Clarita Valley Holiday Storefront in Valencia. The gifts will be given to needy families during the holidays.

(2 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Belinda Crawford of the Food Pantry, left, and Deputy and Head Elf Gerry McCorkle sort through toys at the workshop.

(3 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) An assortment of toys is shown at the Santa Clarita Valley Holiday Storefront, the former SCV Chamber of Commerce, which has a goal of making holiday magic for families in need.

David Crane/Staff Photographer