201812.25
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On Christmas Day, grown-ups got the gift of clean laundry while kids cleaned up on toys

by in News

  • Diana Pruett folds clothes during Operation Warm Wishes’ 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Violet Jessica Marquez is tossed into the air by her father Eduardo Marquez in front of Good Choice Laundry. Operation Warm Wishes held its 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

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  • Tyron Jackson is the president and founder of Operation Warm Wishes. The organization held its 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Volunteers from Operation Warm Wishes take in laundry during their annual pancake breakfast on Tuesday. The volunteers did more than 300 loads of laundry. Operation Warm Wishes held its 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Operation Warm Wishes offered free clothing to the participants. They held their 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Jim Talbot’s dog named Harley sits with his owner along a sidewalk lined with laundry. Operation Warm Wishes held its 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Val Pereira serves up pancakes during Operation Warm Wishes’ 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Volunteers washed 350 loads of laundry during Operation Warm Wishes 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Cynthia Bravo enjoys a Christmas pancake breakfast. Operation Warm Wishes held its 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Some of the participants at a Christmas pancake breakfast lined up as early as 7:00 a.m. It was Operation Warm Wishes’ 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Two girls dance while waiting in line for free toys at Operation Warm Wishes’ 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

  • Robin Sianez folds the clothes from one of 350 loads of laundry washed by volunteers at Operation Warm Wishes 10th annual pancake breakfast for people in need at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 25. Kids were treated to toys and volunteers did laundry for guests. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)

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Sometimes a good Christmas gift is a practical one.

On Christmas morning, Dec. 25, the service organization Operation Warm Wishes did laundry for people in need.

While volunteers washed, dried and folded clothing, more than 200 guests enjoyed a pancake breakfast at Good Choice Laundry in Santa Ana.

“Offering laundry service is important because we literally take the load off the shoulders of people who are struggling,” said TyRon Jackson, founder of the Tustin-based nonprofit which offered the holiday treats the 10th time. “Operation Warm Wishes wants to help people feel better and to never give up.”

To top it off, about 1,200 toys, collected by Orange County high school and elementary school students, were given away to children in attendance.

“I understand what it feels like for many of the children attending to be homeless at Christmas,” Jackson said. “This is a joyous occasion.”

Reporter Bill Alkofer contributed to this report.