LAKEPORT – Bows, wrapping paper, gift bags and stacks of gifts for young children transformed a room in the Lake County Sheriff's Office headquarters on Martin Street this week into Santa's workshop.
In what Sgt. Brian Martin called an “impromptu” effort, sheriff's office employees worked together to adopt 13 children in need and make sure their holiday wishes come true.
Martin credited sheriff's staffers Debbie Burnett and Billie Anderson for organizing the effort.
Between Tuesday and Friday, they gathered approximately $1,157, plus additional donations from businesses including Mendo-Lake Office Supply, Shari's Secret Garden and Renee's Cafe, Burnett said.
She said the idea came this week while they were having their annual Christmas luncheon.
Burnett, who said they were feeling “kinda bah humbug,” had suggested in the future they adopt a family and forgo the luncheon.
Rather than wait, everyone pitched in and got to work to see what they could do this year. And, within days, the humbug was replaced by a lot of activity.
Martin's wife works with the District Attorney's Victim-Witness Division, and she connected them with 10 children, while another three were suggested by local schools, he said.
The children range in age from 11 months to 18 years of age, Martin said.
Martin, himself a dad, was caught off-guard when he saw the children's Christmas wishes – many of them for just basic necessities.
“It was heartbreaking for me,” he said. “We had kids asking for clothes for Christmas,” rather than toys. One boy even asked for sheets for his bed.
The money came in quickly. Martin joked that he managed to get a donation from everyone who passed his desk. Burnett said one sergeant came in with dozens of dollar bills to offer. The detectives pitched in, gladly handing over their stash of soda money.
They had $600 by the time they sent out an email asking for additional donations, which soon followed.
Burnett and Anderson made two shopping trips on Friday, and were assisted by trustees from the Lake County Jail, who helped with wrapping and labeling the gifts.
The children will get the clothes they requested, along with fun gifts for each.
Goodies included stuffed toys, Lego's and a variety of other cool stuff, even a skateboard and helmet – for a young girl who had asked for them.
Presents will be delivered over the next several days; some of the gifts will be distributed on Monday when local law enforcement gets together at the Victim-Witness Division to take toys to children around the Lake.
Martin said he thinks they've started a new tradition.
“We'll probably do this again next year,” he said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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