Astounding! Bravo! Mariana Aguilar (on left in tutu) was hard to catch in focus on the camera Saturday. She was a flurry of activity. Mariana, main architect of the Third Annual Great Venice Toy Drive, had her plans suddenly turned upside down as the rain came.

Undaunted, the snow got cancelled; the Moon Bouncy got moved inside. Not only did the Moon Bouncy get moved inside but it had to be “re-moved” to a larger room as did the food and food line. All this happened smoothly. In fact, many might have thought the moves were part of the program. People waited in line until past noon to get a toy, have something to eat, have a picture taken with Santa. One family showed up with a one-month old child. Last year they had over 350 Venice kids.

On the right is President of the Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) Linda Lucks, a volunteer who joined in with all the other members of the Venice Neighborhood Council and other volunteers to make this a special day. They all wore red and white shirts with a red and white Santa hat. Couple gals, like Mariana, had tutus on.

They waited in line in the rain.

They bounced and they read. Each child got a book in addition to a toy.

Both hands with food. Book in hand with something to hug.

People wait patiently in line for a hot dog.

Popcorn King and Queen just popped on and on.

Age group 4 to 7 table ready for action.

Moon Bouncy, move number two.

Youngest to see Santa and Mrs. Santa. One month old and slept thru it all.

And then the nut cases, oops, elves came out to play.

Vice President of VNC Marc Saltzberg, Councilman Mike Bonin, and Senior Deputy Cecilia Castillo, all part of the clown act, wish all a Merry Christmas