A Christmas miracle

If you’ve always wanted to know if Christmas miracles really happen, keep reading.

The California Highway Patrol once again held its “CHiPs For Kids” toy drive. It’s an annual event, but for the past three years the officers hand delivered presents door to door on Christmas morning at communities such as St. Anthony’s Mobile Home Park in Mecca.

“It’s really nice because I didn’t get nothing because my parents didn’t have money,” 12-year-old Lesli Mendez said through tears.

When the two CHP officers handed out presents, Lesli didn’t even get one for herself.

“Maybe give it to my brother,” she said about the basketball she held in her hand.

After making sure Lesli got a toy for herself, the officers continued handing out presents. It seemed as soon as one child heard about the special delivery, everyone heard. The entire community started waking up, rushing over with huge smiles on their faces.

“That makes me happy. It’s a beautiful program. A lot of these kids would not have anything otherwise if we weren’t able to do this. Thanks to everyone’s generosity for making it possible,” California Highway Patrol’s Mike Radford said.

Because of that generosity, CHP had almost 10,000 toys to hand out.

“So many grateful, happy children receiving these awesome toys that were donated,” Radford said.

“It’s really nice. Really nice,” Lesli said, once again through tears.

It’s really nice to know the community cares so much that every child has a Merry Christmas.