VIDEO: Victim-Witness and law enforcement agencies deliver holiday cheer to local children
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The men and women of local law enforcement continued a tradition of giving this week when they delivered Christmas gifts to children impacted by crime.
The Lake County District Attorney’s Office Victim-Witness Division once again organized a toy drive for the children who it served during this year, with the toys delivered on Thursday.
It’s the 23rd year the drive has been taking place.
Victim-Witness Program Administrator Crystal Martin said that over the years St. Mary Immaculate Church in Lakeport has been the main church involved in helping to collect toys for about 110 children.
She said the children are of all ages in communities around Lake County. This year, the drive also included gifts for some adults.
This year, the effort expanded. Martin said they went out to ask for assistance from a broader group of churches and local organizations.
The groups participating in this year’s toy drive included the Lake Ministerial Association, Lake County Bible Fellowship, First Baptist Church of Clearlake, United Christian Parish, Galilee Lutheran Church, Rotary Club of Lakeport, Lakeport Christian Center, Clearlake First Assembly of God, Restoration House of Ukiah, Family Life Christian Center of Booneville and Coast Christian Center in Fort Bragg, Martin said.
Local law enforcement agencies that took part in the deliveries, in addition to Victim-Witness, included the California Highway Patrol, Clearlake Police, Lakeport Police, Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lake County Probation and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen and his officers arrived donning Santa hats, and Rasmussen brought one for Sheriff Brian Martin, too.
District Attorney-elect Susan Krones arrived in time to see the group off on their special mission, and she joined in carrying bags of presents to the patrol cars.
Before heading out to make their holiday deliveries, the deputies, officers and advocates enjoyed some doughnuts and coffee.
Then, they received their directions from Victim-Witness staff on where to take their cargo before heading off on the rainy Thursday morning.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.