What if you couldn't afford to buy gifts for your kids this holiday? How would they feel? How would you feel?

Yes, the holidays are about more than the gifts under the tree, but that's easy to say when you're financially secure enough to have at least a few presents planned for your kids. While on the outside, Santa Clarita may seem to be an affluent-enough town, there are hundreds of families in our community that must choose between paying for rent and paying for presents.

This year, the Seventh Annual Santa's Helpers Project will provide holiday gifts to 200 disadvantaged children throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Each child will attend a special private event to be held at the Ice Station in Valencia. This event will include crafts, skating and skate rental, pizza and delivery of their holiday gifts from Santa himself! This annual event is produced by the Santa Clarita Jaycees, our community's junior chamber of commerce.

The party is about more than getting a present - it's about knowing that there are other people in the world who may not know you, but care about you none-the-less. The event let's these families step away, even for an afternoon, from worry. It's about making memories with your parents and siblings. And isn't that what the holidays are really about?

Get involved by visiting www.scvjaycees.com and making a secure donation online. These donations cover the cost for the party and supplies, as well as help purchase gift certificates for the older kids who are often overlooked in the toy drive. You can also log on to find the most up-to-date donation locations, as well as other ways to get involved. If you are interested in volunteering, e-mail Volunteer Coordinator Diane Stacey at ladydi.me@juno.com.