With Christmas season approaching, many people have embarked on missions of frenzied holiday shopping; searching for that perfect gift to give to their friends, loved ones, and that “special someone”. Unfortunately, there are many desolate, disadvantaged children and teenagers in the Los Angeles area who are unable to truly experience the joy of the holiday season. They are unable to be surrounded by family and bestowed with the tokens of affection that many of us will receive on December 25th.
“I never saw my mom. My dad raised me. My dad told me to get out. It was my 13th birthday, July 31st. I walked around all night. I came back the next day about the same time… 6:00, 7:00. The apartment was empty. No furniture. No food. Nothing.”
-L.T., current Penny Lane resident
The Penny Lane foundation, founded in 1969 as a home for teenage girls, seeks to help restore and foster hopes and dreams in these children by empowering the youth and their families to reach their highest potential. The foundation provides residential services, an on-site school, mental health clinics, mentoring, and life and job-skills programs; all having a lasting impact on the communities they serve. Penny Lane provides comfort and stability to over 1,600 children, youth, and families in the L.A. area each year by offering additional services such as foster care and adoption, counseling, and housing programs. Penny Lane “gave me a safe place to rest my head every night… They gave me shelter for my heart, body, and soul”, says G.C., former Penny Lane resident.
The Be a Santa program, sustained for the past six years by actress, Patricia Tallman, invites donors worldwide to provide a personalized gift from a Penny Lane child’s personal wish list. The Be a Santa began in 1998 as a personal effort by Patricia and her fans, and today is a global effort to bring hope to the children of Penny Lane. Patricia, who is a performer, businesswoman, wife, and mother, takes time off from her hectic individual life to be Santa and visit each Penny Lane resident and explore their holiday wish list. Children like Meredith (age eleven) and Taryn (age eight) from Palmdale wished for music, collector dolls, rollerblades, and bikes. Others like DeVon (age seven) and Antonio (age eight) wished for Tonka toys, racecar sets, Hot Wheels, and video games for Playstation. Patricia Tallman has devoted more than a decade to Penny Lane children and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars; all while providing opportunity, enrichment, and adventure with an exceptional level of personal commitment to all the children Penny Lane serves.
Penny Lane relies on private donations to help sustain programs that supply stability, normalcy, and structure for abused, abandoned and neglected children, and homeless former foster youth and families in crisis throughout Los Angeles County.
The Penny Lane holiday gift gathering and toy drive begins now and is encouraging all who are able to make a contribution of:
Books, stuffed animals, gift cards, or cash donations.
Wish lists are available now and attendance at gift-wrap gatherings will be available soon. Each child receives a gift bag with stocking stuffers, gift card to a local mall, and a holiday party at each house. Volunteers are also needed to help provide holiday trees, tree decorating, and delivery to the Penny Lane houses.
Contributions to Penny Lane are deductible by donors as provided by Sections 17214 – 17216.2 and Sections 24357 – 24359 of the Code. Penny Lane is a registered Guide Star charity. Penny Lane Tax ID 95-2633765
Help Penny Lane celebrate the hope and commitment to happier futures at the heart of Penny lane services. Many of those Penny Lane serves would not have a gift without cooperation from the donors. Some children have never experienced the joyful traditions of the holidays. Imagine their delight- knowing someone cares about their happiness. Penny Lane invites you to “be the change you wish to see in the world”.To find out more information about Penny Lane and Be a Santa go to: www.BeASanta.net or e-mail: [email protected]
