TEENS GET WRAPPED UP IN GIFT-GIVING SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CLOTHING, TOYS FOR FAMILIES IN HOLIDAY NEED.

Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer

SAUGUS - Scissors sliced through rolls of wrapping paper this week as close to a dozen volunteers with a local parent and teen support group prepared boxes of clothing and toys to brighten the holidays for single parents having trouble making ends meet.

The presents - ranging from board games and portable CD players to a full-size bed - were purchased with some $1,500 in donations collected by Action Parent & Teen Support Programs, which meets weekly in Saugus.

The Studio City-based nonprofit, which counsels teens struggling with drug addiction and other problems, had received the gift - $1,000 cash and $500 in food certificates - from a Vons supermarket in Santa Clarita.

Action President Cary Quashen decided the money would be better spent serving others and began working with the Single Mothers Outreach program to address the needs of local single-parent households.

``Action is about helping everyone,'' he said. ``We believe it takes a community to raise a child. ... We should do everything to help the people living right next to us.''

The packages were delivered Wednesday to the Santa Clarita families.

For 21-year-old single mother Regina Gutirrez, who is balancing her job as birth assistant in a hospital with her role as mother to her 1-year-old daughter Emily, the gifts came at the perfect time.

Money has been tight since her husband left her about a month ago, and she was working extra hours just to afford rent at her Canyon Country apartment. ``I'm very excited,'' said Gutirrez, who only asked for a toy or clothes for her daughter. ``I thank God every day for people like them - for people who care.''

The gift giving wasn't just relief for the recipients. Quashen said the volunteer work also benefits his charges, many of whom turned to drug use partly due to low self-esteem.

``(With addiction) they become real self-centered,'' he said. ``What we're trying to do is letting the kids know it's not all about them. ... It's about the universe. It's about giving back and helping out.''

Devin, 17, struggling to win the battle against drug addiction for the past three months, spent the afternoon wrapping dozens of presents.

``It feels good to be able to do something to help,'' Devin said. ``I've never been a part of something before. ... I'm grateful for the life I have now; that I've gotten out of the bad spot that I was in.''

Daniel, also 17, found the gift-wrapping time well spent.

``It's an important thing to do instead of just wasting time and hanging out at home,'' said Daniel, also a recovering addict. ``It's not even presents. It's stuff people actually need.''

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Michelle Edmondson and Sean Quashen wrap gifts for needy families around the Santa Clarita Valley. The presents were purchased with donations collected by Action Parent & Teen Support Programs, which meets weekly in Saugus.

(2) Gifts for needy families are ready to be delivered on Monday. Action Parent & Teen Support Programs, which meets weekly in Saugus, collected some $1,500 to buy the gifts.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer