Hundreds Salvage Stolen Christmas

Operation Santa Claus, derailed by thieves who stole of toys and gifts intended for thousands of disadvantaged children and adults, received hundreds of calls Tuesday from Orange County residents offering checks and toys.

Barbara McInerny, director of Operation Santa Claus, said the organization had planned to distribute gifts to 3,000 children and 300 senior citizens throughout the county. But last weekend, thieves broke into a storeroom used by the group and stole gifts valued at about $10,000.

Sheriff’s Lt. Dick Olson said that the thieves also took about $10,000 worth of office equipment from other offices in the county General Services Agency building on Grand Avenue in Santa Ana. He said the break-in occurred between 12:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Police have made no arrests.

By late Tuesday, McInerny said, about 200 people had called and 20 to 30 had arrived with gifts. One room was filled with presents and another was almost full, she said. Operation Santa Claus, she said, probably will be able to fulfill its mission this year.

“We’re starting from scratch, but the public response today has been wonderful,” she said. “I think with the help of people, we’ll be OK.”

Every July for 22 years, McInerny said, the operation has begun collecting money, toys and other gifts from county churches, schools, businesses and individuals. The gifts have been distributed to children in foster homes and to disadvantaged children known to the Department of Social Services.

This is the first year that all 43 Orange County Fire Department stations have been designated as drop-off points for contributions, said Larry Webb, captain of the Mission Viejo station.

“You just can’t rip off Santa Claus in Orange County and get away with it,” said Janet Vaughan, assistant director of Operation Santa Claus. “The people here just won’t let it happen.”