Santa Cruz Police Launch Drive-Thru Gift Drive For Kids In Need

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

SANTA CRUZ, CA. – Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) hosts an inaugural Santa Cops & Friends for Kids program to help make the holidays brighter for underprivileged children in the City of Santa Cruz. Santa Cops & Friends community outreach works to provide gifts and necessities to those who would otherwise receive nothing over the holiday season. The Santa Cruz Police Department asks for donations from businesses and community members to provide gifts for disadvantaged children referred to the Santa Cops & Friends program by schools, local nonprofits, and residents.

"The success of Santa Cop & Friends Program is only possible with our community's generous donation support," said Joyce Blaschke, SCPD spokeswoman. "During these difficult times, the spirit of giving is more important than ever. Santa Cops is another way of giving back to the community that officers care so much about and do their best to protect".

DONATIONS | Santa Cops & Friends for Kids is entirely donation driven. Please support this worthy cause with a monetary donation, gift card, or toys/clothing (new, unwrapped, and in

the original packaging). Our goal is to help as many families as possible; the number depends on donations.

APPLICATION PROCESS | Eligible applicants must be 5-13 years of age, reside in the City of Santa Cruz, and family has an economic or social hardship. Such as losing a job, homelessness, military deployment, or illness.

• Referrals come from schools, nonprofit children's programs, and social service organizations.
• Community members can also nominate children.
• Application deadline is Dec. 4, 2020, for referrals & nominations.

SANTA COPS & FRIENDS FOR KIDS DRIVE THROUGH EVENT |Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, Santa

Cops & Friends will host a drive-through holiday event on Church Street to observe social distancing rules. As families pull up to the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, SCPD Santa Cops deliver gifts selected to children in our program.

Everything you need to know about Santa Cops & Friends for Kids

Event Details, Donations, Applications, Forms & Flyers in English and Spanish

Santa Cops & Friends for Kids | www.cityofsantacruz.com/SantaCops Phone 831-420-5844 | Email: SantaCops@cityofsantacruz.com

Attached Donation & Referral info sheets.

This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.