By Daily Press staff
A star recently shined on a local organization dedicated to helping those less fortunate.
Thirty-two preschool-ers, age 1 to 5, and their families received turkey dinners with all the trimmings at St. Joseph Center’s Early Learning Center (ELC) in Santa Monica last week, donated and served by Ted Danson; his daughter, Kate Danson; wife, Mary Steenburgen; her daughter, Lilly McDowell; and friend, Ethan Hale. For the past five years, the family has been providing holiday food and gifts to ELC children, whose parents are working toward self-sufficiency.
“Abundance like this is very rare,” said Leticia Garcia-Greenman, the center’s director of family services. “We are very grateful to Ted and Mary and their family for all that they do for our families at St. Joseph Center.”
Learning toys and gifts were distributed to all of the children and families, and photos were taken with Santa Claus.
This year’s holiday party also included keyboard music by Cindy Mendenhall of Music Rhapsody, an organization that leads singing and music activities for the ELC children throughout the year.
“It’s a heartwarming experience to bring the holiday spirit here in the form of music,” said Mendenhall.
St. Joseph Center has 11 programs on eight sites in Venice, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles, providing case management, child care, job training, and senior services to more than 7,000 homeless and low-income men, women, and children each year who are striving to break the cycle of poverty. Toy drive makes Christmas special for hundreds
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 27, 2004. Read the original PDF.