The excitement was electric as children received their gifts and other goodies as Santa and Mrs. Claus looked on. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The air was electric with the excitement of children as a caravan of Citrus Heights police vehicles flashing lights, led by the Police Activity League (PAL) truck and enormous trailer filled to the brim with presents, made its way to the center of the Greenback Manor apartment complex on Dec. 18.

More than 100 children and their families were awaiting the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and members of the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) officers, command staff, professional staff, volunteers and Sac Metro Fire Department. Upon arrival, Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as police staff and volunteers distributed toys and other goodies to the waiting children, parents and grandparents as other residents watched.  

Police staff and volunteers wasted no time emptying dozens of cardboard boxes ready to distribute their contents to the anxiously awaiting children.

Also in attendance were newly elected Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton and City Manager Ash Feeney.

Lopez-Taff said of the event, “I’m excited that our police department and Police Activity League (PAL) have continued to do this with the community to bring joy to our residents.”

A long caravan of police vehicles and the Citrus Heights PAL trailer arrived at the Greenback Manor apartments bearing gifts for all the children.

The work of Police Activity League (PAL) is about creating positive relationships between youth in the community and officers in the police department. They hold many activities throughout the year to meet this goal.

Mom Luda and son Alen pose with Santa as the excitement continues around them.

Lt. Nicole Garing said, “These events are an opportunity to build relationships, talk to the kids, give them gifts and celebrate with them.”

The Greenback Manor visit was just one event of Operation Holiday Cheer. Prior to this visit, the caravan, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, made stops to deliver presents to three families who could use some extra help this Christmas.

Finally, City Hall was the site of another part of the gift giving program. That morning, families who have faced unexpected hardship over the past year and have at least one child under the age of 13 arrived at City Hall to find their gifts lining the halls of the building, including bicycles, stuffed animals and hundreds of brightly wrapped gifts awaiting their arrival. Along with the gifts, they received a Christmas dinner food box plus household essentials and clothing for their children.

In all, according to the Citrus Heights Police Officers Association (CHPOA) website, 22 families were helped this year.

The Operation Holiday Cheer event at Greenback Manor ended with a group photo of over 60 Citrus Heights Police staff and volunteers, Citrus Heights city council members, city manager, Santa and Mrs Claus and most especially many of the children, parents and grandparents, all waving goodbye and Merry Christmas! 

Operation Holiday Cheer is a collaborative effort between the City of Citrus Heights, Citrus Heights Police Department, many local service organizations, schools, businesses and other community members.