Santa Claus doesn't care that it's only October. He spent a few weekends this month taking Santa Fe school children shopping for a sharp outfit, a warm coat and maybe a few snacks or a toy. Only he wasn't wearing his usual red-and-white uniform — he was disguised as Jorge Lugo, the vice president of Wings for Hope and Toys 4 Tots.

"I'm Santa Claus every year," Lugo said happily. He graces the Wings for Hope and Toys 4 Tots floats in various parades around town and hands out toys to kids during the holiday season.

With the shopping-spree weekend, the two organizations kicked off the season of giving that will last well past the holidays. For Lugo, the shopping sprees are some of his favorite times.

Kids, who have been identified by their schools as needing a little help, line up with their parents in the early morning hours and a few volunteers from the two organizations take them through Walmart, helping them pick an outfit, some shoes and a coat. It's a happy time for both the kids and the volunteers, Lugo said.

"Some of these kids have never really had anything new. Most of the time they have stuff handed down to them and they come in and get to pick a really cool jacket," Lugo said. "They love the idea of shopping and getting to have a choice. When they go through the store, we walk and talk with them and ask them how they're doing in school, and they're having a good experience shopping with us."

Lugo explained that 26 years ago, Toys 4 Tots (with the number "4" instead of the word "for") was started by a group of Santa Feans who started a motorcycle run, or bike run, to collect toys to be given to less fortunate kids for the holidays. He noted that Toys 4 Tots was a private entity not affiliated with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.

In 1999, Wings for Hope started as a separate organization to provide winter clothing and school uniforms for children. A few years later, the two organizations merged because many of the members were participants in both.

"We have twice as many responsibilities and twice as many expenditures," Lugo explained. "So we need more fundraisers, more donations and bigger turnouts."

Throughout the year, the two nonprofit organizations hold fundraisers to fund all the events.

"Everything we do is done by volunteers — local people," Lugo said. "They're not paid in any way and all the money that we raise from our fundraisers go to help purchase these items for the community."

The organization meets monthly; those interested in volunteering or donating can visit www.wingsforhope.com.

The next project is the Nov. 7 Toys 4 Tots toy and food run. According to a news release, more than 300 bikers are expected at this year's event. Santa Claus will show up to lead the bikes from the Plaza to the American Legion Hall. Beginning in November, nonperishable food items and new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the American Legion.

The next event on the calendar is the Coyote Cafe Fundraiser for adults only, which is an evening of appetizers, entertainment and a silent auction. The $20 tickets for the event can be purchased at the Coyote Cafe and Santa Fe Harley Davidson.

Lugo explained that these efforts are to make the children happy.

"They have a great big smile on their faces and you feel like you've done something useful to give back to the community," Lugo said. "I don't think there is any greater reward than a smile on some kids' faces."

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084.