Police join in the reindeer fun

More than a dozen families were greeted Wednesday night by a cadre of police officers who came bearing Christmas gifts.

Glendale police officers delivered gifts, including toys, grocery store gift cards, clothes and other household necessities, to 19 low-income Glendale families.

The Salvation Army, homeless advocacy group Ascencia, city employees and school officials referred the families to the Glendale Police Officer’s Assn. for the Christmas tradition.

“It’s hard because there are families we have to tell ‘No,” Officer Patricia Larrigan said.

Officers visited the families before Wednesday to determine their needs and wants for the holiday season.

Families often request pants, shoes, shirts, uniforms and sometimes bath towels, she said.

Officers buy gifts with toy and money donations from members of the department and local organizations, including Glendale Kiwanis Club, which Larrigan said donated a large amount of funds.

Police Explorers went to the homes on Tuesday to distribute Christmas trees, decorations and lights so they would have an area to set up the gifts.

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