Toy donations needed for youngsters at Casa Pacifica
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

CHRISTMAS WISH- Santa Claus takes a moment to hear from a youngster staying at Casa Pacifica, a Camarillo-based treatment center for abused and neglected children. Casa Pacifica does not have any budget for holiday gifts for the children, who range in age from tots to teens, and is asking community members to buy one or more gifts to donate. For more information, call (805) 445-7800.

Casa Pacifica touches the lives of 350 abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed children every day with its many therapeutic treatment programs.

The Camarillo-based crisis care and treatment center has no budget to provide the children Christmas gifts and is asking the community to help by donating one or more Christmas gifts.

Vicki Murphy, director of operations, said for most of the children, the gift they receive from Casa Pacifica is the only one they'll have for Christmas.

"They haven't been cared for like this before," Murphy said.

The children each list five items they'd like for Christmas.

Choices can range from toiletries to bed linens to the latest toy.

Casa Pacifica staff has listed each item along with the child's name on paper ornaments for the public to pick up and put on their own Christmas tree, with hopes that they will fulfill one or more wishes.

Community and youth groups, churches, businesses and individuals can also adopt the wishes of families in Casa Pacifica treatment programs, such as movie or game night.

A list of wishes can also be emailed out.

Casa Pacifica asks donors to bring unwrapped gifts to the facility, located at 1722 S. Lewis Road no later than Wed., Dec. 19.

In addition, the children will have the opportunity to "buy" gifts for their families at Casa Pacifica's holiday boutique scheduled for Dec. 14. The children can "purchase" with their good behavior new items donated by staff members and the community.

Giving the children an opportunity to buy a gift for their family members makes them feel empowered and builds their selfesteem, Murphy said.

"The sense of pride on their faces- it's turned into the most wonderful event by far that we do," Murphy said.

Last year, Casa Pacifica served some 1,300 children and their family members in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It offers residential treatment, emergency shelter, educational programs, family support, medical services, psychiatric treatment and community-based interventions.

For more information, call (805) 445-7800.