Marissa GOULD, intern
In these tough economic times, not everyone can afford to get gifts for their children during this holiday season. To answer that need, there are various organizations locally working to lend a hand. The CV Sheriff’s Station is one of those organizations. The station is holding its annual toy/food drive and is asking for the public’s help.
The volunteer group at the Crescenta Valley station has been holding a food and toy drive for 25 years. The sheriff’s volunteers are community members who work at various jobs throughout the station including answering phones, controlling traffic and patrolling – all of this in an effort to support the sheriff’s station personnel.
They reach out to the community, including schools, churches and volunteer organizations, to find families in need. Donation barrels have been placed at several locations in the community including Ralphs markets in both La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta as well as at the Briggs station.
In the past, both the sheriff’s deputies and volunteers loaded up vehicles on the Saturday before Christmas and, with address list in hand, drove from family to family dropping off packages of toys and food. This year that has changed.
On Saturday, the Crescenta Valley station will be feeding and giving out toys to about 100 families.
Organizers feel the change will make the event more personal.
“It’s a lot better than just dropping the toys off on the doorstep and walking away,” said Sgt. Burton Brink of the CV Sheriff’s Station.
Those who would like to donate to the toy drive can drop off unwrapped toys at the station at 4554 Briggs Ave. in La Crescenta; the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, which is helping with hosting duties at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, La Cañada; and various businesses across the Crescenta Valley area. Donation bins are easily recognizable: they’re big and red.
Plenty of food has been donated for Christmas, but the station still needs toys for the older kids, from ages 13 to 14.