For the past 13 years, Poplar resident Robert Coy has been dressing as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve and providing toys to little boys and girls in his neighborhood.

“I got tired of seeing kids year after year go without Christmas and I decided to do something about it,” Coy said. “This is a farming community. The majority of the people out here are laborers in the field and sometimes they can barely afford to make ends meet.”

Coy said he used his own money in the beginning, buying a lot of small toys from the dollar store at half price. Eventually, he was spending $2,000 to $3,000 of his own money on Christmas gifts.

“That was a long time ago. Now they all get a nice toy,” Coy said. “Unfortunately I was injured and can no longer work so now I rely solely on donations. It’s getting harder and harder to do. I almost didn’t do it this year but then I thought of the children. It’s hard to see kids go without so I decided to continue.”

Toys collected and bought range from toy fire engines and dolls to skateboards and bicycles.

“By Christmas Eve, this street will be wall to wall with kids,” Coy said. “I will also have 10,000 lights up by then. My whole front yard will turn into a winter wonderland. I sort all the toys into age groups and then I sit in my driveway, boy toys to one side and girl toys to the other side. My wife, Mrs. Claus, [Elsie Coy] helps me. I also have a few elves — neighborhood teens — that help with the crowd. And someone always works the gate.”

In addition, Coy makes sure that each child receives a goody bag filled with fruit, mixed candies and candy canes.

Coy’s mother is in charge of wrapping the gifts every year.

“Last year I wrapped 1,200-plus toys,” Judith Fuentes, 73, said. “He (Coy) has always been like this. When we lived in Carson in the 1970s, he used to help senior citizens and always had a party for them at Christmas and other holidays. He has always had a big heart.”

Neighbor Michelle Sanchez, 26, said she appreciates Coy’s efforts.

“He is very sweet and has such a big heart,” Sanchez said. “I still remember the first time he had this. I was 13 and I was one of the kids in line for a toy.”

The next year, Sanchez became one of Coy’s Christmas elves.

“I’ve been helping every year since,” she said. “The lines keep getting longer and longer. But he keeps going. It is something the community really needs, especially with the economy the way it is.”

Coy said he is counting on the community’s support. Unwrapped toys may be dropped off from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Pizza Factory, 897 W. Henderson Ave. Members of the Rollin Relics will be on hand to collect the toys.

A motorcycle toy and poker run is also scheduled starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at The Brickhouse, 152 N. Hockett St.. A party will follow at Manente’s Lakeside, 30311 Avenue 160, at Lake Success.

For more information, call Coy, 784-4027, The Brickhouse, 783-9176, or Manente’s Lakeside, 793-1900.

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.