A wide-eyed smile emanated from three-year-old Angelique Brazil's face Saturday as a stack of gifts landed on her small palms. Staggering to carry the boxes three times the size of her head, the little girl went on smiling.
"One, two, three ...," Angelique shows her happiness by counting them for her grandmother.
For many children living in Home Garden like Angelique, this could well be the only Christmas they would enjoy.
But the good news was, they were having a full Christmas.
Christmas cheers permeated inside Gardenside School cafeteria Saturday, when a group of 48 or so children age 2 to 14 were treated to Santa, carol singing, a pizza lunch, and lots of gifts.
It's a reward they get each year for their good attendance in the Saturday Enrichment Program, Kings Partnership for Children's youth program.
Programs like this are the epitome of the group, which has made a gradual difference in this impoverished community south of Hanford over the last 10 years.
Children who participate every weekend in the enrichment program learn everything from arts and crafts to cultural sensitivity, said Yarmala Dowling, program supervisor.
"It tries to bring them up in the community with morals and values and tries to teach them safety," Dowling said. "And they look forward to this every year."
Gifts to these children came in many forms.
Young at Heart, a local choir group made up of senior citizens, performed Christmas carols for the children to sing along.
"It's fun to sing for the kids," said Jack Christiansen, conductor for the choir. "We don't have too many opportunities, so we were very willing to do this because of the children. I think it's a nice affair. I'm glad to see a group like this helping children."
Children were receiving two to three wrapped gifts, depending on the level of their attendance. And they had a chance to meet a familiar Santa Claus (Kings County Supervisor Joe Neves).
Marine Staff Sgt. David Kuhn, Toys for Tots coordinator for the area who brought the toys on behalf of the program, stood by the wall and took a moment to observe the happy faces.
"It's one of the most humbling experiences," Kuhn said. "When Santa Claus walked in, all the kids went crazy, laughed, smiled and cheered. That's what it's all about. It's all about the smiles on kids' faces."
The reporter may be reached by e-mail at: eyamashita@hanfordsentinel.com Dec. 18, 2005
