More Than 2,000 Donations Made During CHP Toy Drive

TEMECULA - Church groups, businesses and area residents showed their Christmas spirit during the California Highway Patrol Temecula office's annual ''CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive,'' which received more than 2,000 toys for underprivileged children, it was announced today.

''I would like to thank all the members of the Temecula Valley communities who came by the CHP office or other drop-off locations and donated toys,'' said CHP Officer Nathan Baer, who coordinated this year's event.

''When you see the massive amount of toys that were given, you can't help but smile and be thankful that there are so many caring people,'' he said.

Crossroads Church of Temecula donated 15 new bicycles -- the third year in a row parishioners have bought bikes for the toy drive, Baer said.

''I do not want to minimize anyone's contributions,'' he said. ''All of our partners did very well, and the community really gave generously.''

Groups that partnered in the effort included the Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula Valley School District, Walgreens, Lamb's Fellowship of Murrieta, People Helping People and the Lake Elsinore Unified School District.

Baer said CHP officers have distributed the toys to local families and hospitals.