TEENS GET WRAPPED UP IN GIFT-GIVING SUPPORT ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CLOTHING, TOYS FOR FAMILIES IN HOLIDAY NEED.Byline: Eugene Tong tong 1 tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs. Staff Writer SAUGUS - Scissors scissors Cutting instrument or tool consisting of a pair of opposed metal blades that meet and cut when the handles at their ends are brought together. Modern scissors are of two types: the more usual pivoted blades have a rivet or screw connection between the cutting ends sliced through rolls of wrapping paper Noun 1. wrapping paper - a tough paper used for wrapping kraft, kraft paper - strong wrapping paper made from pulp processed with a sulfur solution butcher paper - a strong wrapping paper that resists penetration by blood or meat fluids this week as close to a dozen volunteers with a local parent and teen support group prepared boxes of clothing and toys to brighten bright·en tr. & intr.v. bright·ened, bright·en·ing, bright·ens To make or become bright or brighter. bright the holidays for single parents having trouble making ends meet. The presents - ranging from board games This is a list of board games. This page classifies board games according to the concerns which might be uppermost for someone organizing a gaming event or party. See the article on game classification for other alternatives, or see for a list of board game articles. 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 A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. , which counsels teens struggling with drug addiction drug addiction or chemical dependency Physical and/or psychological dependency on a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance (e.g., alcohol, narcotics, nicotine), defined as continued use despite knowing that the substance causes harm. and other problems, had received the gift - $1,000 cash and $500 in food certificates - from a Vons supermarket in Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, . 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 Any individual who habitually uses any narcotic drug so as to endanger the public morals, health, safety, or welfare, or who is so drawn to the use of such narcotic drugs as to have lost the power of self-control with reference to his or her drug use. . ``It's not even presents. It's stuff people actually need.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 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 Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . 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 |
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