'Santa Claws' visits Oceanside

Larry Wallach, a licensed exotic animal trainer and exhibitor from Hewlett-East Rockaway, is bringing some baby critters — including a kangaroo and a Royal White Bengal tiger — to the Hallmark Crown Shoppe II in Oceanside this holiday season, for a charity event to benefit the non-profit group Long Beach Christmas Angel, Inc. The charity helps families who are struggling financially in the Long Beach City school district by offering assistance with rent, utility and other bills, and providing for basic needs like food and clothing.

President Johanna Sofield said Wallach approached her group with the idea for “Santa Claws” after learning about the work Long Beach Christmas Angel, Inc., does to help families in need. "With so many families struggling to stay in their homes and provide basic needs for their children, we embraced his generous offer," Sofield said. "It is a unique and fun way to raise funds while celebrating the holiday spirit."

Wallach, who provides care for abandoned and injured wild animals and runs educational programs about them, hopes the event will be a treat for kids who visit as well. "I love doing it," he said. "When do people get a chance to see these animals up close?" Wallach used to work as a head wildlife officer for Nassau County. He has also served as humane commissioner for the City of Long Beach. For the “Santa Claws” event, he brought in a twelve-week old kangaroo from a ranch in Ohio and a ten-week old tiger from a zoo in Florida.

Merrick resident Jennifer Ambrosio dropped by with her nephews, Ronnie, 3, and Nicholas, 6, Dec. 8 to see the animals and visit with Santa. "It's such a great way to start the holiday season," she said. The two boys had a chance to sit on Santa's lap and up close to the kangaroo. They couldn't keep their eyes off the baby tiger -- along with several passersby who stopped in the store to take a closer look at the cub after seeing him through the window.

While store owner Steve Krucher has never had live animals in his card shop, he hopes the event will bring some holiday cheer to visitors, especially during a tough economic season. Krucher said he and his son-in-law spent two days to build an in-store set to accommodate the animals. The decorated corner of the store features a Christmas tree, wrapped presents, and a fenced in area for the baby tiger.

Children can pose for a picture with Santa and his wild animals at the store now through Dec. 23. Hours are 2 - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A 4" x 6" photo costs $20. An 8" x 10" photo costs $25. Ninety-percent of the proceeds will go to Long Beach Christmas Angel, Inc. The other ten percent will go toward caring for the animals. The role of Santa is being played by Dave Simon, a licensed detective from the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Both Simon and Wallach are licensed to handle the animals. For more information on Santa Claws, call (516) 594-4657. To learn more about Long Beach Christmas Angel, Inc., contact Johanna Sofield at LBCA@optonline.net.