TUSTIN : Santa-Cop Event to Treat Needy Families

Twenty needy families will be treated to a holiday party at City Hall tonight by the Tustin Police Department.

The annual Santa-Cop event is supported by city employees and the local community. Officer Jeff Singleton said this may be the only celebration many of the families will have during the holiday season. The families are selected by the department.

“When we get in homes where we see a family isn’t going to have much of a Christmas, we ask them if they want to join the party,” Singleton said.

At the party, children ages 12 and younger will receive gifts donated by city employees, local companies and Tustin residents. There will also be refreshments and giveaways of books, food baskets and Christmas trees.

In addition, children will be invited to have their pictures taken with Santa Cop. Santa will arrive in a police car, Singleton said, while party-goers are caroling outside City Hall.

Appearing with Santa will be the storybook character “Clifford the Dog.”

“It’s a fun program,” said Singleton, who works with Tustin schoolchildren through the Police Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. “It’s a little bit heart-wrenching sometimes to see these kids. When they get their gifts they’re just so happy.”

“Some don’t open their gifts at the event,” he added. “That way they’ll have something to open on Christmas.”

Singleton said the department is only able to accommodate 20 families. Names of additional needy families are compiled by the city, Singleton said, “and we put them in touch with people who would like to help out.”

Additional information is available from Singleton at (714) 573-3294.