Sheriff Hands Out Toys Made By Inmates

"I think it's a fantastic way to start the season," Baca said. "The whole point of Christmas is to give and to celebrate the blessings of life."

Sheriff Lee Baca handed out handcrafted toys made by inmates to boys and girls at the Belvedere Early Education Center Tuesday as part of a county wide program that helps needy children around the area.

"I think it's a fantastic way to start the season," Baca said. "The whole point of Christmas is to give and to celebrate the blessings of life."

Children lined up at the Center as Baca and Santa Clause handed out the handcrafted dolls and wooden trucks and trains.

Inmates from Los Angeles County jails work year-round to construct thousands of the toys which are handed out through the county at schools, hospitals, and day care centers. The annual Toy program is a holiday tradition for the Sherriff's department that began over 50 years ago.

"The program is a blessing to the children and enables the inmates to use their time in a productive manner that benefits the community," Baca said.

Baca said the prisoners who make the toys enjoy working on the project and doing something positive.

"There's plenty of stresses in jail for everybody but in this case we turn that stress into goodness," he said.

Materials used to create the holiday gifts were donated by local merchants and residents.
The sheriff's department said the supplies-- including wood, wood stain, yarn, cloth material, and sewing thread-- need to be replaced and is seeking donations for next year.

Anyone wishing to donate can contact Gloria Welsh at (323) 568-4500. Wooden toy materials should be directed to Sergeant Gerri McCorkle at (661) 295-8805.

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