Santa, LAPD Helpers to Bring Gifts to Blind Center
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More than 40 students from the Blind Children Center will gather at the facility today as Santa Claus, Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks and 50 police officers dressed as Santa’s elves drop in for a holiday visit.
With lights flashing and sirens blaring, one police car after another will enter the center at 4120 Marathon Street at 9:30 a.m., organizers said. Santa, with Chief Parks at his side, will emerge from the first car carrying a sack overflowing with gifts for the children.
To help the children develop their other senses, Santa will encourage the blind and near-blind youngsters to explore his curly beard, listen to his jingle bells and enjoy the taste of peppermint candy canes.
“They go crazy, they’re so happy,” said Laurie Headly, a center spokeswoman. “A lot of these children come from homes where they don’t get a lot of gifts. They are thrilled to have Santa Claus visit them.”
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