Have a PAL Holiday
Dec 10, 2020 12:00AM ● By By Patrick Larenas
RCPD PAL toy drive and fundraiser participants greet shoppers as they exit the Walmart located on 10655 Folsom Boulevard, Rancho Cordova. Left to right: PAL volunteers Bree Chuong, Richie Mendoza, PAL Crime Prevention Specialist Tina Aldama, Sergeant Rich Merideth, and Officer Jose De La Cruz. Photo by Patrick Larenas
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Every child needs to have a gift for Christmas! The Rancho Cordova Police Activities League (PAL) is holding its 10th Annual Christmas in Cordova this December 19. Through the RCPD Youth Services Unit, the toy drive has been held on various days over the past month for the benefit of 350 families in need.
Sergeant Rich Meredith, PAL Executive Director, Director and Youth Coordinator, said the program was able to collect and receive donations on Black Friday, November 27, of about 500 toys and $900. Likewise, on Wednesday, December 2, the drive collected some 500 toys and over $2,000 towards Christmas in Cordova stated the police department.
A very familiar face to kids in Rancho Cordova, School Resource Officer Tracey Jacobs, was there to send Season’s Greetings to Folsom Cordova students and interact with Walmart shoppers on behalf of participating families who applied to the program in November.
Tina Aldama, PAL Crime Prevention Specialist, said PAL has had to make a lot of adjustments throughout the year to maintain its youth outreach activities due to COVID-19 restrictions. “Some of our activities, such as our Junior Giants sports program, have shifted emphasis from sports to reading, being able to still serve about 365 kids through distinct virtual approaches.”
Aldama said, “200 families signed up for the toy drive which will help approximately 500 children and we had plenty of room for them [applicants]. Rancho Cordova Police Department has been very fortunate to continue our relationship with the community.”
On the scheduled date of December 19, RCPD officers will be at the Christmas in Cordova event handing out gift-wrapped toys, and according to the police department’s announcement, “There will also be special goodie bags, a drive-through Winter Wonderland, and Santa will be making an appearance.”
The event will be held at this year’s newly dedicated Rancho Cordova Youth Center on 10455 Investment Circle, Rancho Cordova.
For more information contact RCPD’s Crime Prevention Specialist Tina Aldama at 916.875.5852 or [email protected]
