GPD Delivers Holiday Joy

By Eliza PARTIKA

All was merry and bright at the Glendale Police Dept. (GPD) on Dec. 14 when officers and volunteers assembled to deliver gifts to Glendale families. For over 30 years the Glendale Police Officers’ Association (GPOA) Cops for Kids program has served dozens of Glendale families in need. Members of the GPD and department volunteers adopt families during the holidays, delivering trees and gifts in time for Christmas.

Each year officers work with educators and school administrators to identify children in need of assistance. Officers will also add names to the gift-giving list if they have interacted with a family they believe would benefit from the program. Volunteers then make home visits to speak with families and identify their needs. Fundraisers throughout the year, including a golf tournament, car show and poker night, help fund gifts.

Kitchen goods, bicycles, toys and clothing filled colorfully wrapped boxes overflowing on tables set up in the Glendale Police Station Community Room where volunteers and officers gathered to ready the gifts for delivery. This year, 25 families throughout Glendale, Montrose and La Crescenta received gifts.