Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station Hosts Its 1st Annual "For the Kids" Holiday Party
Christmas came early for more than 100 kids this past weekend. The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, along with the Triunfo YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Conejo Valley, invited 150 children and their families to participate in its 1st Annual Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station 'For the Kids' Holiday Party. Judging by the joy in the children's voices and the emotion in the faces of their parents, the inaugural event was a huge success.
Families received exclusive invitations in the mail, where they were invited to spend a few hours enjoying holiday festivities with Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies. While the children may have walked in not quite knowing what to expect, they walked out with enough memories to last their childhood. After being greeted by a duo of fully-grown elves, they walked into a Southern California-style winter wonderland, guided by the sounds of holiday tunes. Children had the opportunity to enjoy face painting, a magician, popcorn and hot chocolate, as well as a BBQ lunch grilled by Malibu/Lost Hills Station’s Captain Pat Davoren.
Kids were invited to sit on a Sheriff's motorcycle and take pictures inside a black and white patrol vehicle, while a garland-clad mounted posse unit made for a memorable and festive photo opportunity. Also in attendance was one of the Sheriff Department's K9 dog which interacted with kids, and Special Enforcement Bureau (LASD’s version of SWAT) brought out all kinds of gadgets, including a demonstration of a remote controlled intelligence gathering robot. The Malibu/Lost Hills Search and Rescue Team gave the adventurous kids a ride on a fully equipped quad, specially geared for traversing the local mountainous terrain.
Shortly after families arrived, the DJ announced Santa's entrance, which sent the kids into enthusiastic dances and cheers. After Santa and his elves finished interacting with the children, Santa got comfy in his overstuffed chair and welcomed all to take pictures with him. While there was lots to do, it was impossible to ignore the focal point of the event - the gift table. The children were sent through an assembly line of gifts, as volunteers working at the event piled as many gifts into their arms as could be carried. Parents were invited into Santa's Workshop to receive a special 'parents only' gift, which included gift certificates that were donated by a very generous member of the community.
At the end of the day, the most important accomplishment was that lives were touched. A community came together this weekend, donating time, equipment and gifts in order to give local children and their families an unexpected experience that they may not have otherwise had a chance to enjoy. The emotion and excitement witnessed by anyone within earshot proved this was a worthwhile and well received endeavor.
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station would like to thank Jakks Pacific Toys, the Triunfo YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley, the Westlake Village Rotary Club, the Do-It Center, Michaels Crafts Store, Bennetts's Tree Farm, and every single individual that donated their time and resources to make this event a huge success.
Prepared by : LET Heather Fuquay
Media Release Date: December 17, 2014
* Lost Hills Sheriff's Station polices the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village, and the unincorporated communities of Chatsworth Lake Manor, Malibu Lake, Topanga, and West Hills: For further information contact: Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 27050 Agoura Road Agoura, CA 91301 (818) 878-1808 Website: www.LostHills.lasd.org LASD HQ Text and Emails: http://www.Nixle.com http://nixle.com/lasd---malibulost-hills-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostHillsSheriffsStation Twitter https://twitter.com/LHSLASD
