![]() Jeri Williams Chief of Police |
Oxnard Police Department
R. Jason Benites Scott Whitney |
OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
EVENT: | 3rd Annual Heroes & Helpers Event at Target |
DATE/TIME: | December 12, 2013, 8 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
LOCATION: | Target at the Collection at RiverPark, Oxnard |
PREPARED BY: |
Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631, [email protected] |
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO: |
Sgt. Luis Mancha, (805) 385-7653, [email protected] |
DETAILS:
(OXNARD, Calif) Thirty deserving and needy children (ages 6 to 12) – one from each elementary schools in in Oxnard School District as well as the private schools in the area – were invited to the 3rd annual Heroes & Helpers event at Target at the Collection at RiverPark, tomorrow.
Low-income students will be paired with a uniformed Oxnard Police Department officer for a $200 shopping spree at Target. In addition to shopping, the kids will be treated to a breakfast provided by Panera Bread, photos with Santa (Oxnard Councilman Bryan McDonald), and holiday crafts. Presents purchased for family members will be wrapped on-site by Department civilian volunteers.
Last year, the cop & kid teams dispersed throughout the Target store to spend their $165 gift card any way they chose. It was awesome to see how so many of the children shopped first for gifts for their siblings and parents before they even thought of selecting something for themselves. It’s incredibly reassuring and heartwarming to witness children who live everyday with little still find it in themselves to act so selflessly and think first of others before they think to indulge themselves.
Heroes & Helpers was originally made possible by a $1,500 grant from Target with a matching $1,000 contribution toward the event by the Oxnard Peace Officer’s Association (OPOA). OPOA doubled Target’s donation this year and generously gave $2,000. Target and The Collection each donated $1,000. The Oxnard community came together to make this year extra special through additional financial donations, these sponsors are Mr. Ivan Chacon and Truth Realty, Tacos by Don Chente, A to Z Law, the Oxnard Police K9 Foundation, and Mr. Al Jones.
“For our Department, this day has become a special one that many of us look forward to. The smile on the kids’ faces, our Officers faces, and everyone who supports this program and makes it possible—the joy you show and share is evident of what is good in our community,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams.
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DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 11, 2012, 11:50 a.m.