THANKSGIVING MEAL EMBODIES GROUP'S WORK.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

While the Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council helps hundreds of needy people throughout the year, the annual Thanksgiving service has a special place in Barbara Myler's heart.

``It's my favorite thing that the Interfaith Council does,'' said Myler, secretary of the nonprofit agency. ``It's my favorite because of the spirit that's there of sharing and love.

``You can't help but feel the love in the room when you attend the service,'' Myler added. ``It's a wonderful example of the brotherhood.''

Providing meals, hosting special services and organizing religious forums are some of the activities sponsored by the council, which strives to reach the needy and the hungry in the Santa Clarita Valley.

``We focus on the things that we can do together to lift up the community,'' Myler said. ``We have similar goals, to have a safe community, to help the needy, the hungry and to be an organized and diversified voice of religion in the community that is diversified, as well.''

The Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council is among the nonprofit charities participating in the Daily News' ninth annual Season of Sharing campaign. Readers can contribute directly to the charities, allowing them to help people during the holidays and throughout the year. The Daily News does not receive any of the money.

Since 1990, Season of Sharing has generated $217,000 in cash, and thousands more in services and merchandise from readers who wanted to help their less-fortunate neighbors.

The Santa Clarita council, which was organized in 1989, is composed of 17 faith communities, including Catholic, Lutheran, Assemblies of God, Jewish, Science of Mind, Mormon, Protestant, Episcopalian and Seventh-day Adventist congregations.

Since its formation, the council has developed an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance, planted a Holocaust memorial tree and hosted a fund-raising walk for Communities Reaching Out to People.

More than 200 people participated in last year's CROP walk. While the majority of the proceeds went to fight hunger in the United States and around the world, money also was distributed to four local food pantries.

One of the council's highest achievements came to fruition last year when the council founded the Santa Clarita Shelter.

Known as the El Nino Shelter, the council used a building donated by the city and a staff of volunteers to house 30 people a night from November through March, when temperatures occasionally dipped to about 40 degrees.

``The shelter has been a large focus for us,'' said Myler, adding that without it, Santa Clarita's homeless would spend the winter nights under bridges, beside trees and behind retail stores.

``The shelter was our brainchild,'' Myler said. ``Now it's evolving itself.''

As part of its goals, the council would like to provide employment and counseling services.

``I know that together we are making a difference in the valley,'' Myler said. ``We are doing the right things for the right reasons.''

To make a donation to the Samaritan Shelter, which was profiled in Wednesday's Daily News, please use the following mailing address:

Samaritan Shelter

690-A Los Angeles Ave., Unit 198

Simi Valley, CA 93065