Sheriff McDonnell Receives Educational Toy Donations from
Senator Bob Huff, On Behalf of 999 for Kids
Senator Bob Huff, 29th Senate District, brought the holiday season with him a little early when he visited Sheriff Jim McDonnell at the Hall of Justice today, to present a donation of educational gaming toys for the 999 for Kids program.
It was on Thursday, November 5, 2015, in an historical Art Deco-era jury deliberation room transformed into meeting room, that Sheriff McDonnell; Captain Roosevelt Johnson, Chairperson, 999 for Kids Program; James F. Normandin, President, Memorial Medical Center Foundation; Dr. Charles Sophy, Department of Children and Family Services; and retired LASD Commander, Pete Amico, a former 999 for Kids Committee Chairman and hospital volunteer, accepted eight LeapFrog® Brand LeapPad3® Learning Tablets and seven LeapFrog® Brand LeapTV® Educational Gaming Systems, on behalf of the 999 for Kids program. The premier toys came with game cartridges and carrier bags, and are valued at $4,500. The LeapFrog® Brand is a well-known, large producer of electronic educational products for children.
Sheriff Jim McDonnell said “These toys are received not just with the holiday season in mind, but with the futures of numerous children whose lives will be enriched from their experiences with them. Senator Huff , on behalf of the 999 for Kids program thank you for providing these incredible learning tools which offer the benefit of development and learning in a fun package.”
The toys were generously donated by Senator Huff and The Purist Group as part of an early kick-off campaign to their 2015 holiday toy drive, and to ensure more toys are made available to children in need in the areas Senator Huff represents. Senator Huff is involved in early childhood education to give local youth a future advantage.
One portion of the toys will be donated to select, medically-fragile children participating in the 999 for Kids program through the Department of Children and Family Services – Medical Placement Unit, and the other portion will be donated to Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach – 999 For Kids Program room. The educational and social development benefits will become exponential, knowing these children will share their toys with countless other children.
“These toys will help the Sheriff’s Department as they work to steer at-risk kids away from crime so they can become responsible and healthy adults,” said Senator Huff. “I’m proud of the work they do with these children and I’m pleased that I can help out in any way that I can.”
Esperanza Gonzalez, Department of Children and Family Services; and Carrie Schreiner, Child Life Specialist, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Long Beach, who are both directly involved with the children of their respective agencies, offered insight of how well the toys will delight the kids and promote their interest in learning.
The 999 for Kids program was created in 1985 through a joint effort of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the County’s Department of Children and Family Services. The two county agencies began working together after they recognized a need to help physically and mentally challenged children who are medically vulnerable or are victims of the most severe cases of child abuse, neglect and family violence.
The program raises money to purchase special items and services for these children, including sport wheelchairs, computers, special education classes, and medically-oriented toys and games. The funds send children to summer camps for the deaf, blind and those with other medical issues who would not otherwise have such positive experiences.
Identifying children’s needs and meeting them — that’s the goal of 999 for Kids, whether the need is for a group of children, like those at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, or for an individual.
State Senator Bob Huff represents the 29th Senate District, covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. For more information about Senator Huff, click: http://district29.cssrc.us/content/my-offices
The Purist Group is a group of like-minded car enthusiasts, passionate about giving back to their community and cars.
To learn more about 999 for Kids and the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation, click: http://sheriffsyouthfoundation.org/programs/999-for-kids/
Read more about Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach – 999 For Kids Program by clicking: http://www.millerchildrenshospitallb.org/giving/corporate-partners-archive/helping-kids-is-the-name-of-their-game-999-for-kids-gives-back-to-miller-ch
For information about the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, click: http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/
Written by:
Deputy Lillian Peck
Sheriff’s Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ
Pinterest LASD Photos : http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary Registryhttp://snap.lacounty.gov/
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
