Toys time for police and children

The Chula Vista Police Activities League was created in 1992 to help underprivileged youth within the city of Chula Vista.

Today the organization remains strong and has assisted students with scholarships to Southwestern College. They’ve also rewarded elementary school students who have overcome adversity with free tickets to Aquatica water park.
As the holidays are rapidly approaching, the organization is turning its efforts to serving underprivileged children with a toy drive.

For the toy drive to be effective, organizers are seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys, gift cards and wrapping paper.

These items can be dropped off in the Chula Vista Police Department’s lobby at 315 Fourth Ave. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The department asks for toys for ages 9 through 13 and $10 gift cards for young teens ages 12-17. Gift card suggestions include movie theaters, restaurants, Target, Walmart and Subway.

Checks can be made payable to CVPAL, c/o Shelly Robillard, CVPD, 315 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910. Donations must be in by Dec. 7.

Mariluz Zepeda, coordinator for the Chula Vista Police Activities league, said the organization works with school nurses in the Chula Vista Elementary School District to identify recipients of the items.

Zepeda said the only requirements are that a family has an elementary school-aged child and are low-income. The application process has closed, Zepeda said.

Chula Vista Police Capt. Lon Turner, a board member of the Chula Vista Activities League, said the toy drive not only benefits the children and their families but it also presents an opportunity for children to see the other side of policing.

“It’s a positive experience,” he said. “And it’s one that the kids get to see us in a different light.”

The toy drive is accompanied by a food giveaway where the Chula Vista Welfare Council collects non-perishable food for families.

On Dec. 12 starting at 6 a.m. uniformed officers will personally drive to the homes of the selected families to drop off the toys, gift cards and a box of nonperishable food to help while school is out. Families will also receive a $25 gift card to a local grocery store.