CHP Officers get into Santa’s business

Newhall resident Patricia Martuscello, left, removes toys from her SUV as she donates them to California Highway Patrol Senior Volunteer, Eugene Baxter, center, and CHP Officer Christian Stevens at the CHP donation display on Town Center Drive in Valencia on Wednesday as part of the CHP's 28th year of collecting toys for local families in Santa Clarita. The CHP donation site will be accepting toys until December15th at the location. Dan Watson/The Signal
Share on facebook
Share
Share on twitter
Tweet
Share on email
Email

When California Highway Patrol Officer Eric Preissman left the Newhall Station Wednesday afternoon he was on his way to “send forth some good cheer” and “do some good will.”

Specifically, he was on his way to man the CHP booth at the Westfield Valencia Town Center mall.

“I’m going to the mall,” he said.  “We’re there to engage the public, be there for them and answer any questions they have.”

Oh yes, and then there’s the thousands of toys he and other CHP officers will be collecting.

California Highway Patrol Senior Volunteer, Eugene Baxter, left, and CHP Officer Christian Stevens place donated toys in barrels at the CHP donation display on Town Center Drive in Valencia on Wednesday as part of the CHP's 28th year of collecting toys for local families in Santa Clarita. The CHP donation site will be accepting toys until December 15th at the location. Dan Watson/The Signal
California Highway Patrol Senior Volunteer, Eugene Baxter, left, and CHP Officer Christian Stevens place donated toys in barrels at the CHP donation display on Town Center Drive in Valencia on Wednesday as part of the CHP’s 28th year of collecting toys for local families in Santa Clarita. The CHP donation site will be accepting toys until December 15th at the location. Dan Watson/The Signal

CHP officers manning their booth at the mall, are accepting donations of toys which they distribute to needy families over the holidays, just as they’ve done for more than a quarter century.

This year, marks the 28th year the CHP has taken up the Santa chores, collecting toys within this CHP jurisdiction are distributing them to SCV organizations and families.

“We accept toys.  We send forth good cheer and we promote good will,” Priessman told The Signal.

Last year, more than 80,000 toys were donated to the CHP, according to CHP Officer Josh Greengard, also promoting good cheer.

“They’re collecting toys pretty much during the same operating hours as the mall – morning till at night,” he said Wednesday.

The CHP Officers at the booth are expected to continue collecting toys until Dec. 15.

You can drop toys off on Town Center Drive by Urban Home, three doors down from The Cheesecake Factory.

[email protected]

661-287-5527

on Twitter @jamesarthurholt

 

Related To This Story

Latest NEWS