Cheer Unwrapped at County Hospital

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center's hallways were filled with uniformed police officers as they made hand-deliveries to a few of the hospital's youngest patients. Children staying in the medical center's emergency department and outpatient care center were treated to wrapped toys donated by Rite Aid stores and candy while enjoying visits with Santa, who was escorted by members of the Colton Police Officer's Association on the morning of Dec. 23. But that's not where it stopped - children simply visiting the hospital were also treated to a free gift. "We touched so many in the surrounding communities," said officer Rich Randolph, president of the CPOA. "ARMC watched every point of entry and let us know if a child walked in via the radio. Patient or not, every child got a toy. Not only were there kids from Colton, but we gave to kids from Big Bear, from Victorville and from so many places." The annual event, known affectionately as Operation Giving, is a holiday tradition carried out by the officer's association that this Christmas saw its fourth anniversary. Over 80 toys were given to children at the hospital, purchased by CPOA officers and also donated by Rite Aid. "This is part of how we give back to a community we value," said Randolph. "We have a partnership with ARMC and we are very close with the staff." The pre-Christmas event kicked off with a briefing at the hospital before gifts were distributed, with breakfast provided by Leno's Ricos Tacos. Mayor Richard De La Rosa gave a brief speech to the crowd, consisting of CPOA officers, several other City Council members and ARMC officials. In an email sent to city directors and ARMC officials following the event, Mayor De La Rosa addressed the CPOA, saying, "Operation Giving has made our city proud. Your professional presence along with kindness, caring attitude to the children and parents at ARMC was well received by the public and media. Thank you for making a child smile and 'setting the bar.'" Additionally, the CPOA donates Christmas trees and gifts to families in need in the community. The families are typically recommended by CPOA officers who make their rounds in the community, but this year was slightly different when the police union donated to Wendy Amaya and her five children, Randolph explained. "Wendy called us up and asked if she could be a part of Operation Giving this year. I said, 'Yeah, do you know a family?' and she said, 'Yes, mine,'" Randolph said. "She has five children and they all got full-on Santa wish lists. They each got the toys they wanted." [END] COLTON POLICE WILL DELIVER DONATED TOYS FROM THE POLICE UNION TO ENTIRE COUNTY HOSPITAL ** This venue will last at 0930 and conclude at 1100, ALL MEDIA is invited to attend** On December 23 2014 at 9:30AM, members from the Colton Police Officers Association will be arriving at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), to deliver toys, candy, and Christmas cheer to kids and families spending the holidays in the hospital. Santa Claus will be making a special appearance, escorted by Colton Police throughout the hospital starting in the lobby, emergency department and into the pediatrics unit. Operation Giving is a holiday tradition of the Colton Police Officers Association. Each year officers support families in need and senior citizen groups by delivering Christmas Trees, meals and presents. The program is volunteer Members of the media are encouraged to join Arrowhead Regional Medical Staff along with Colton Police Officers Association Monday morning at 9:30AM for briefing. Over 100 toys be donated by Rite Aid Stores and the Colton Police Officers Association. These toys will be wrapped and hand delivered by uniformed officers throughout the hospital. For information or to schedule interview, contact Rich Randolph at 805.236.2540 or e mail: coltonpoapio@gmail.com. +++++ (Left to right) Willie Bermudez, 31, a Colton Police Officer, stands next to Santa, along with his family Desiree Bermudez, 16; Jamie Bermudez, 17; and his wife Nicole Bermudez, 34, during the Colton Police Officers Association Operation Giving event held at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) on Dec. 23. Members of the Colton Police Officers Association delivered approximately 60 toys to dozens of children at ARMC in the Emergency Department and the Outpatient Care Center. This is the fourth year that the Colton Police Officers Association has donated to ARMC. +++++ City of Colton Mayor Richard De La Rosa and his wife, Teresa Delarosa, an Arrowhead Regional Medical Center nurse, stand next to Santa during the Colton Police Officers Association Operation Giving event.