SANTA ANA : Passel of Pinatas Aid Poor

The small, pink pinatas shaped to look like coyotes made Julia Rivera laugh when she saw them Tuesday morning at the Pena Referral Center, where she went to collect free toys and games for some of her 20 grandchildren.

“We will hang (the pinatas) on the Christmas tree,” she said as she made her way out of the crowded center. “I am very happy and grateful.”

Rivera, 70, was among the hundreds of needy individuals and families who showed up at the nonprofit center this week for free food baskets, gifts and as many pinatas as they could carry.

Pinatas, usually made of either papier-mache or clay, are a Latino tradition. The colorful figures, common at certain festivals and parties, are suspended from the ceiling; children use a stick to break them open and release the toys and candy inside.

About 2,000 pinatas were donated to the center this year by a local ad company, along with 3,000 toys and games donated by the Toys for Tots program at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

“People are very needy this year,” said Jose Pena, president of the center, which distributes government surplus food to area families throughout the year, as well as clothing and medical and legal referrals.

“We got more toys and food, thanks to many people donating,” Pena said. “I hope even more people can help next year, and actually all year long. We need help every month, and we also need more jobs so people can help themselves.”

Rosemary Villalobos, 34, is among those without a job this year. The single mother of four said she has been financially strapped since losing her job as a factory assembler four months ago.

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve had a sad Christmas,” she said as she wiped tears from her eyes. “This year, we don’t have a tree, and there would have been no presents. Now, we will have these at least, and this is a lot more than I thought we would have.”

Villalobos’ mood lightened when she pulled one of three pinatas out of her box filled with toys and games and wondered aloud where on the small pinata she would be able to cut a hole to place treats inside for her children.

“The kids will love them,” she said. “I don’t have any money to put candy inside of it, but maybe nuts and oranges.”

Bertha Esquerro, 31, appeared tired as she carried a large box filled with two pinatas and various toys.

“I haven’t worked in a year because my son is very sick,” said Esquerro, a single mother who lives with her four children in a small trailer parked in the back yard of a Santa Ana home. “Where I live, there are many families who don’t have anything. We are going to share what we have together and spend Christmas with each other.”