COUNTYWIDE : Calls From Santa to Assist Homeless

Sponsors of a Christmas Eve dinner for the homeless are hoping to raise money for the event by providing telephone calls from Santa Claus to the friends or relatives of contributors.

The telephone calls, which will begin Tuesday, are part of a feverish fund-raising campaign by the Southern California Homeless Interfaith Assn. to raise enough money to hold its annual Christmas Eve dinner, according to volunteer Kim Williams.

Based in the Anaheim Plaza Mall, the nonprofit organization assists the homeless through donations of clothes, shelter and food. Last Christmas Eve, volunteers fed about 300 homeless people at a local church.

“We’re hoping to raise about $1,000,” Williams said. “We’re really short on funds this year, and we expect there will be more people needing our help.” He added that while donations have been smaller this year, the number of homeless people has risen.

Santa Claus will be making personal phone calls from Tuesday through Dec. 24. A $5 donation is requested for calls in Orange County. Calls to other numbers in Southern California are $8.

“It gives the kids (who receive the calls) a little thrill,” said Williams, adding that older family members might also enjoy a call.

Interested contributors are asked to send a name, phone number and any special message along with a check made payable to the Southern California Homeless Interfaith Assn. to: Anaheim Plaza Mall, 500 N. Euclid St., Unit 209, Anaheim, CA 92801. Checks can also be dropped off in person. For further details, call (714) 776-4179.