After community volunteers wrapped roughly 4,000 presents at Red Morton Park in Redwood City on Monday, first responders set off Wednesday night to begin delivering them to the homes of local children in need, part of a heartwarming annual tradition that will serve 800 families this year.
Santa Claus rides along in a police car or fire engine to personally deliver presents to local families. Deliveries for the 2022 Redwood City-San Mateo County Holiday Toy and Book Program are ongoing, with organizers saying the program was off to a great start.
You’re making a difference in this community, one kid at a time, one household at a time.
The Holiday Toy and Book Program is held by the Redwood City Police and Fire Department, Police Activities League, and Parks Recreation and Community Services, in collaboration with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activities League, San Carlos Fire Department, Woodside Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Redwood City 330 Squad Club, and the CARON Project.
Last year, more than 40 local businesses filled 67 donation barrels with toys that were provided to over 800 families needing assistance.
Families receiving donations this year were asked to register in November.
During a briefing ahead of the first delivery night, Redwood City Police Chief Dan Mulholland thanked volunteers for taking time from their busy schedules to make the massive charity effort possible.
“It was pretty awesome to go the Red Morton Center and see all the presents that were out there that needed to be wrapped,” Chief Mulholland said. “Great feeling. You’re making a difference in this community, one kid at a time, one household at a time.”
All photos courtesy of the Holiday Toy and Book Program.
