By Daily Press staff
Some 220 Santa Monica youngsters received free gifts and ice cream cones last week courtesy of the local Elks.
The Santa Monica Elks, which hosted a Christmas party for under privileged children, issued tickets through local schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, which then chose the children.
Each child was given a stuffed animal, a candy sucker and a Christmas stocking with an apple, orange, candy and peanuts. Also, each child received a wrapped toy based on their age and gender. Santa also was on hand for the event — as was a clown, who performed magic tricks.
Additionally, the children were given finger print cards and Polaroid snapshots to take home. Mark Hasson, who donated the cards and the film, said it was important to be able to identify the children in the event they were kidnapped.
Leftover gifts will be taken to Children’s Ward of the Santa Monica Hospital today, according to Elks member Curt Curtiss. One thing won’t be leftover, however: Though 220 children received gifts, they consumed more than 300 ice cream cones, event chairman Ray Beers said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 30, 2004. Read the original PDF.