Sister City group turns eyes homeward

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- Before the children are all snug in their beds on Christmas

Eve, they will get presents to open at the Orange Coast Interfaith

Shelter.

Santa Claus arrived at the shelter a little bit early this year, with

four big sacks full of brand-new goodies.

“There are Barbies, clothes, dolls, diapers and games,” said Lori Glover,

children’s program coordinator for the shelter.

This year Santa was played by a group of nearly 50 Newport Beach

residents who belong to the Newport Beach Sister City Assn., a volunteer

group that works with Newport’s three sister cities -- Antibes, France;

Okazaki, Japan; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

When the members of the association gathered for their annual holiday

brunch, they each brought a little holiday cheer for the less fortunate.

“It’s not just so much toys, I brought diapers, rattles and little pajama

sets,” said Karen Evarts, president of the group.

The group understands there are things needed more than toys, she said.

Although the group’s focus usually falls outside the United States, this

is the second year members have spread holiday cheer locally, and they’ve

found they enjoy it.

“Everybody just really loves to go out and buy presents for those in

need,” Evarts said. “I suppose that’s what the holiday is really all

about.”

The bounty will be distributed on Christmas Eve to the children and their

parents who are staying at the shelter.

The shelter offers families, couples and single women a safe place to

stay for three to seven nights a month. They are provided with a bed,

food, hygiene supplies, laundry facilities, transportation vouchers,

counseling and referrals for jobs, housing placements and mental health

and outreach programs.

The 118-bed shelter has about 80 people staying under its roof, and

although they have received numerous gifts for children, they still need

presents for adults this season.

Anyone interested in making donations can contact Lori Glover at (949)

631-7213.