By Mary O’KEEFE

Members of the Glendale Police Dept., through the Glendale Police Officers’ Association Cops for Kids, readied Christmas trees last week that were delivered to local families who are struggling during the holidays.

There were 17 trees donated by a local company that were delivered by GPD officers and staff to 17 families. Cops for Kids also purchased tree stands. GPD members, including cadets from the Explorer program, put the trees in stands then loaded them onto trucks for delivery.

The recipient families were suggested by administrators and teachers from Glendale Unified School District to Cops for Kids chairperson Amy Tate.

“Some families came into the station and filled out forms,” Tate said.

Trees were the first part of a community holiday outreach by GPD. A few days later families with children met at Target in Glendale for Shop with a Cop. The officers helped the kids pick out the perfect gifts. 

Next on the Cops for Kids Santa list is home delivery of gifts to families. The toys and gifts were donated by the community and purchased by the Cops for Kids organization. Home deliveries not only help the families in celebrating the holidays but also allows kids to see police in their neighborhoods in a positive way.

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 these holiday trips are completely different.

“Most of our contacts are negative,” said Agent Keith Soboleski with the Glendale Police Dept. staff in an earlier interview with CVW. “This is all positive. We are showing up and bringing them gifts.”

Toys and clothes are not just needed during the holidays but throughout the year. 

“After Christmas, too. Things happen during the year,” Tate said, in an earlier interview.

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

In addition to trees and stands Tate would also like to give families holiday lights with which to decorate.

“Some families do not have any decorations,” Tate said.

It’s not too late to help local families. 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 St. in 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.

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

The 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 91209. For more information, contact the GPD station at (818) 548-4840.

  Mary Okeefe