BUENA PARK
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Sharon Reynolds said it started with just one family in 1991.
It was right before Christmas and a mother walked into the Buena Park Police Department asking if they could help her get bicycles for her children. Their father had just died and they were short on money. Reynolds, a civilian who has been working in the community relations/crime prevention department for more than 17 years, enlisted the support of the police association and got the children their wish.
Since then, what started as a simple kindness became Project Give a Christmas and with corporate sponsors and individuals donating their time and money, it will help 52 needy families this season.
On Sunday, four Santas, including Councilman Art Brown, were chauffeured in a patrol car and escorted by motor officers who were on their day off.
“You can’t help but get caught up in the spirit,” Reynolds said. “I know other departments probably brag about their Christmas programs, but I have yet to see one time that someone has left at the end of the day without at least once having shed a tear.”
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