D.A.’s Office Delivers Gifts to Families Hit by Crime

Investigators from the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office will deliver holiday gift baskets to 200 families that have been victimized by crime, officials said Thursday.

“We’re helping those who lost a loved one,” said Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti at a news conference in the produce section of the Ralphs supermarket on Sunset Boulevard. “As much as they need food, clothing and shelter, they need to know that people care.”

Families were chosen on the basis of need, and each will receive food, toys and gift certificates.

Lynette Bell’s sister was killed in a car accident a month and a half ago, and she said the gifts “will help us a lot, because we’re low on funds.” Her family is now caring for her sister’s five surviving children, who range in age from 17 months to 11 years, as well as her own three children.

The donations mean more than money, said Bell’s cousin, Theresa Williams.

“Just knowing that people care and that they’re there to help is important,” she said, wiping away tears.

She consoled the sobbing children around her, some of whom had been in the car with their mother when drag-racing youths crashed into them in a fatal wreck.

More than $9,000 worth of donations were raised during this year’s gift drive, an annual tradition at the district attorney’s office for 14 years, said Angela Valenzuela, a staff assistant for the office.

Ralphs contributed more than $5,000 worth of food and stuffed animals, a company official said.