CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Christmas Eve members of the Clearlake Police Officers Association assisted Santa Claus in delivering toys to several families in the city of Clearlake.

Helping Santa on Christmas Eve has been a tradition for the Clearlake Police Officers Association for more than 15 years, according to Det. Ryan Peterson, the association vice president.

Throughout the year, members of the police officers association meet a lot of families and children who are going through difficult times, Peterson said. Through theses contacts, families are chosen and contacted to see if they would like a visit from Santa Claus. 

Peterson said police Officers collect handwritten letters from the children and deliver them to Santa Claus.

On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus was given a personal escort to deliver toys to the children, which this year resulted in 26 children receiving a visit from Santa Claus, Peterson said.

This program means a lot to the Clearlake Police Officers Association and has been successful because of community support, according to Peterson.

This year, Peterson said the the police officers association offered a special thank you to Paul Gehringer and Angelo Sendejas for their donations to this program and support to the Clearlake Police Officers Association Christmas Program.