LAKEPORT, Calif. – Local law enforcement agencies partnered again this year to bring Christmas cheer to county children whose lives have been touched by crime.
The annual Christmas present drive is hosted by the Lake County District Attorney's Office Victim-Witness Division.
The effort culminated on Friday in the distribution of toys by members of the California Highway Patrol, Lakeport Police, Clearlake Police, Lake County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office.
Debbie Wallace, head of Victim-Witness, said the toy drive has been going on about 15 years.
This year, it served 86 children who she said have in some way or another been a victim of crime – either because they live in a home where domestic violence has been present, they were victims of molestation or because of other crime-related circumstances.
Gifts come from sources such as St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lakeport, which hosts a wish tree with tags for the children, said Wallace.
“They've helped us out through all the years,” Wallace said, adding that St. Peter's Catholic Church in Kelseyville also has been a contributor in past years.
This year the drive was coming up short on gifts, but Wallace said the Lake County Sheriff's Office came through with the rest of the needed items.
She said Victim-Witness collects names of children to receive presents throughout the year. The effort to gather all of the gifts for this Christmas began in October.
Colorfully wrapped presents and gift bags were loaded into police, sheriff's and CHP vehicles and delivered around the county so that they would be waiting for the children on Christmas morning.
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