Full Notification

The California Highway Patrol along with Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Los Angeles, CBS 2/KCAL9, Allen Lund Company and Shoe Palace spend the day donating toys and food to over 400 needy Lincoln Heights families.

In a time when police-community tensions have grabbed the spotlight, local California Highway Patrol officers are reminding people that they care deeply about the community that they serve.

On Sat., Dec. 13, the CHP Southern Division gave 750 toys to needy children at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Downtown Los Angeles. The event is the second-largest of 10 events that comprise the CHP’s 26th annual CHiPs For Kids toy giveaway in Los Angeles County.

While 1,000 people were waiting in line for toys, food and shoes—a line that will go around the block--children had the opportunity to go inside the real cab of a semi-truck, mounted on semi-wheels but connected to a regular truck bed: “Big Al.” Jay Leno and Shaquille O’Neal both own versions of this latest in status-symbols!

Big Al’s interior features bright-blue seats, chrome fixtures, diamond-plate floors, a navigator with a 14-inch screen, a real CB radio and TV’s in its headrests--for backseat passengers. The Allen Lund Co. will provided the truck.

“Elves” from the Shoe Palace chain will give new shoes to needy children. Cookies, juice and bottled water were served to families, who RSVP’d with the society.

The CHP partnered with the local council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an international Catholic charity organization, because the Society is familiar with the impoverished communities in Downtown Los Angeles and could connect the CHP with the neediest people.

This is the fourth year of the CHP-Society’s event in partnership with KCBS2/KCAL9 , which has snowballed in size with the addition, over the years, of shoe retailer Shoe Palace; shoe manufacturer Converse, transportation broker the Allen Lund Co. and Navidad en el Barrio, a social-service organization.

Last year, for example, the CHP gave away 375 toys at the Society’s thrift store. This year, not only will families get 750 toys, they will also get a complete, culturally-sensitive Christmas dinner, including 4 lbs of chicken thighs, rice, beans, cheese, juice, broccoli, lettuce, grapes and citrus fruits. About 80 percent of the recipient families are Latino.

Shoe Palace will give away 50 pairs of Converse “Chucks” and 100 pairs of other shoes to the children.

Via the CHiPs For Kids events throughout Los Angeles County, the CHP plans to give away 30,000 total toys, which it collects throughout the year. The toys are donated--or paid for by--individuals, organizations and businesses.

Should you have any questions for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, please contact:

Kay Hwangbo, c) (323) 228-5733
Public relations consultant to
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Los Angeles Council