A busy weekend for Kings County Christmas drives as hundreds of local kids benefit

Even the Kings County Sheriff’s Department got into the holiday spirit. On Saturday, Dec. 21, the department’s SWAT team delivered toys gathered during its annual toy drive. More than 60 families throughout Kings County and a total of about 150 children were guaranteed a merry Christmas.

The Lemoore Police Department held a pair of events, including “Reasons for the Season” at the Lemoore Civic Auditorium on Dec. 19 and then “Presents on Patrol,” on Friday, Dec. 20.  

“As we celebrate the holidays, many families want to provide a wonderful Christmas for their loved ones but struggle to get gifts and basic necessities,” said Assemblymember Salas. “Once again, the strong charitable spirit of our community has helped spread holiday cheer to a total of 225 families in need. I want to thank the numerous community partners in Kings that helped make this toy drive a success, and I hope the families and children that received donations have a merry Christmas.” 

Toy drives were held across Kings County with help from Aria Community Health Center, California Highway Patrol Kings & Fresno County, Kings County Probation, Kings County Sheriff, Hanford Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Corcoran, Home2Suites by Hilton,  Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, City of Avenal, Avenal City Council, Starbucks, Jalisco's Restaurant, Supervisor Richard Valle, and the Professional Latin American Association.

“Kings Community Action Organization is grateful to partner on the toy distribution event with Assemblymember Rudy Salas,” said Jeff Garner, Executive Director of KCAO. “The toys that were given to the many families in our communities brought them joy and happiness this holiday season. The work we continue to do with Assemblymember Salas has been helpful to the communities we serve.”

In total, over 225 families and 520 children received toys throughout Kings County. Additional gifts are being distributed throughout the week as well.