Police deliver the Christmas goods

Fifteen members of the Laguna Beach Police Department handed out gifts to preschool-aged children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach.

Each year police employees select an underprivileged child and become their “Santa” for the day, according to Capt. Jason Kravetz.

The annual toy giveaway, held Dec. 20 at the club’s main branch at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, is part of the federal Even Start Family Literacy Program, which offers grants to support family literacy projects that integrate early childhood education, adult literacy and parent education, according to the U.S. Department of Education website.

The employees hand out gifts and then enjoy a potluck and listen to the children sing Christmas carols, Kravetz wrote in an email.

The department handed out at least 30 gifts this year.

“It was a magical day for all of us and the children,” Kravetz said.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce