By Mary O’KEEFE

The Glendale Police Officers’ Assn. “Cops for Kids” program will be conducting its annual holiday toy distribution today, Thursday, Dec. 15. Mayor Paula Devine, Chief Robert Castro and members of the Glendale Police Dept. will be delivering carloads of donated gifts to 23 families in the City of Glendale.

The Cops for Kids program targets the needs of the community’s underprivileged, disabled, hospitalized and at-risk children, as well as those who are victims of accidents and/or crimes. Every year, members of the Glendale Police Dept. adopt families during the holidays, providing Christmas trees, gifts, and holiday meals. The Glendale Police Officers’ Assn. has distributed over 20,000 toys to children throughout the community as a result of the generosity of Glendale citizens and businesses.

It was last week when Glendale police and staff went to Home Depot to pick up Christmas trees that were given to local families.

“We got the [trees] at Home Depot thanks to an anonymous donation,” said Agent Keith Soboleski.

Christmas tree stands were purchased thanks to Cops for Kids and police soon after began putting the trees together for the big delivery. The families even received lights to place on the trees. Then today, Thursday, Cops for Kids will deliver presents to the families so they will have something to place under their trees.

Soboleski said the kids are really excited when the officers come with the trees and the presents.

When an officer shows up at a home it is usually because there is a victim inside or someone is in trouble with the law, but holiday trips like those today are completely different.

“Most of our contacts are negative,” Soboleski said. “This is all positive. We are showing up and bringing them gifts.”

Though the official holiday toy drive began soon after Thanksgiving, according to Amy Tate, Cops for Kids chairperson, the need does not end with the holidays.

“After Christmas, too. Things happen during the year,” said Tate.

She explained there are times when a child is taken into child custody or there is some issue within the family when a toy is of great comfort.

In addition to the families that will receive a Cops for Kids delivery there will also be times when shelter families can come to the station and pick out toys for their children. Tate reaches out to local schools for names of those in need; those families fill out applications. There are applications available at the station as well.

Anyone who would like to donate a new toy, gift card or funds can do so by bringing it to the main GPD station at 131 N. Isabel Street, Glendale or for those in the Crescenta Valley area they can drop items off at the GPD Substation at 3808 Ocean View Blvd. in Montrose on Fridays.

The Cops for Kids is asking for toys for all ages – gift cards work best for teenagers – and they are also asking for new clothing.

“Some kids have to walk to school, so their parents are asking for jackets, sweatshirts, gloves anything to keep them warm,” Tate said.

Glendale Cops for Kids program is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) that relies on the generosity of citizens and corporations. Monetary donations can be made out to Cops for Kids and mailed to P.O. Box 245, Glendale, California 91209.

For more information, contact Amy Tate at (818) 548-3136.

  Mary Okeefe