Wet Christmas cheer

Deirdre Newman

Merle Hatleberg had congestive heart failure three weeks ago, which

cut down on her normally energetic routine.

But the founder of Someone Cares Soup Kitchen appeared at its

annual toy giveaway Tuesday, bundled in blankets, refusing to let the

rainy weather dampen her Christmas spirit.

“We’ve been doing this for 17 years and every year, it gets

better,” Hatleberg said.

Organizers expected the toy giveaway at Lions Park to draw about

1,000 kids but the wet weather diminished the turnout and cut the

event short, said Shannon Santos, manager of the soup kitchen. Every

child who came still received their two toys, leaving the

organization with some extra gifts for next year.

Santa Claus made a dramatic arrival on a fire truck with sirens

blazing and held court at the entrance to the covered area, greeting

families and posing for pictures with the kids on his lap. After

spending time with Santa, the kids were escorted by volunteers

dressed as elves to a table with toys for their age-range and gender.

They got to pick out any two toys they liked.

Nicolette Furgeson, 12, picked out one present that felt like a

book and another that felt softer. She said she would try to wait

until Christmas to open them. Her little brother Sampson, 8, got a

Nerf basketball and her older brother, Dylan, got a G.I. Joe action

figure.

All the kids who volunteered got to pick out one toy. Volunteer

Amanda Johnson, 10, let out a big “Wow” when she saw how many gifts

had been stuffed inside the shoe box she selected. Among her bounty

were blue stockings, a toothbrush, a little purse and hand lotion.

Volunteer Casey Klugh, 14, said her first year helping out with

the toy giveaway was rewarding.

“I feel good about helping all these people,” Casey said. “They

might not get all the stuff that I get so it makes me feel like I’m

giving back.”

Klugh’s grandfather, Carl Lydon, also helped out, portraying Santa

Claus.

“I love it,” Santa said. “The more, the merrier.”

The toys are donated by businesses and individuals. Some generous

donors shop year-round and bring toys throughout the year, Santos

said.

“We’re so thankful for all the people who support us,” Santos

said. “We just organize it. It’s the people in the community that

make this happen.”

As the children received their gifts, Hatleberg sat off to one

side with a look of joyous contentment on her face.

Luis Armendariz, a volunteer with the soup kitchen, said he was

impressed with Hatleberg’s resilience in attending the event.

“Merle is one of my heroes,” Armendariz said. “She’s so devoted to

the community. Even with her health problems, she still goes out and

does what she does.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].