CHiPs For Kids Toy Drive Underway In Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The annual CHiPs For Kids Toy Drive is underway in Sonoma County. In addition to donation bins at various locations throughout the county, including at the Petaluma and Santa Rosa DMV offices, toys can be dropped off at California Highway Patrol booths when set up outside Target in Rohnert Park and Walmart in Windsor.

David deRutte, public relations officer for CHP's Santa Rosa Area, had to call for backup last weekend because of an overflow of toys donated at a booth he was manning in front of the Rohnert Park Target store.

Officer deRutte said he also sets up in front of Walmart in Windsor on Sundays.

Thus far, residents have been great about purchasing an extra toy inside the stores to donate as a gift for needy and homeless children in Sonoma County, he said.

Donations are also being accepted at Orangetheory Fitness Rohnert Park, 600 Enterprise Drive; Healdsburg Running Company, 333 Center St. in Healdsburg; Santa Rosa DMV; Petaluma DMV; the State Building, 50 D St. in downtown Santa Rosa; and at the Santa Rosa Area CHP Office, 6100 Labath Ave. in Rohnert Park.

CHP asks that the generously donated toys are new and unwrapped, and says 100 percent of the toys collected will go to children in need in Sonoma County this holiday season.

Photos by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com