Spreading Christmas Cheer

San Andreas, CA – It is not too late to join in the holiday spirit and bring a smile to a child’s face by donating a toy.

The CHP and Santa’s Express annual CHiPs for KIDS Toy Drive is almost over, but there is still one more day to drop off a gift. Officer Rebecca Meyers notes, “This will probably be the most toys I’ve collected…gosh, since the six years I’ve been doing this.”

The toys go to hospitalized and disadvantaged children in Calaveras County. There are 1500 children, ages 0 – 17 years old, involved in the program. The hope is to give each child two new toys. Myers shares one area of need, “It does seem like the older kids kind of get over looked. Fourteen to seventeen year olds don’t get as much, but I have collected quite a few gift cards for them and they all seem to enjoy that.”  She adds board games, footballs, basketballs and baseballs are also a good gift.

The public has until Thursday, Dec. 17 to drop off new and unwrapped toys at the collection barrels listed below:

• California Highway Patrol – San Andreas
• Mark Twain Elementary – Angels Camp
• Albert-Michelson Elementary – Murphys
• CHP/Sheriff Sub-Station – Arnold
• Valley Springs Elementary – Valley Springs
• Jenny Lind Elementary – Jenny Lind