REGION: Law enforcement groups bring holiday cheer

By SARAH GORDON - Staff Writer | Tuesday, December 2, 2008 4:10 PM PST ∞

Several North County police organizations are planning to bring holiday cheer to needy families and children, and they hope the public will help.

The Tony W. Zeppetella Memorial Foundation would like to provide Christmas celebrations with all the trappings for a few North County families.

The foundation is named for the rookie Oceanside police officer who was killed during a traffic stop in 2003. His widow, 31-year-old Jamie Zeppetella, said the charity picks projects that carry on her husband's spirit.

"Tony had a big heart for children, and Christmas is so important to kids," she said. "I think it would make him really happy that we are doing things like this in his honor."

The foundation hopes to provide Christmas trees, decorations, gifts and a holiday meal to families that might otherwise be unable to afford a celebration, Jamie Zeppetella said.

To nominate your or another family, write to the foundation with the names, gender and ages of the children and describe the family's situation.

The foundation will review all the letters and make selections. Letters should be submitted by Friday to the Zeppetella Memorial Foundation, 4225 Oceanside Blvd., Suite M-168, Oceanside, CA 92056.

Law enforcement agencies countywide are collecting new teddy bears to be delivered to children at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego by Santa Claus, officers and members of the Chargers.

The deadline for delivering new, unwrapped bears to any law enforcement agency is Friday, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. The bears will be delivered Monday, when Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at the hospital in a sheriff's helicopter.

Some of the bears delivered to the Carlsbad Police Department also will go to the Casa de Amparo home for abused children and the Women's Resource Center, both in Oceanside.

The Sheriff's Station in Encinitas is partnering with the local Community Resource Center to collect and distribute bicycles, toys, clothing and food to more than 1,200 needy families at the Del Mar Fairgrounds over the weekend beginning Dec. 19.

Volunteers will transform the fairgrounds grandstand into a holiday festival with music and snacks. During the event, children can meet Santa, watch movies and make crafts while their parents look for clothes, toys and food for the family.

Sheriff's employees have refurbished donated bicycles for the event. Sheriff's Department Senior Volunteers will provide transportation for families to and from the fairgrounds.

Those interested in donating, collecting, delivering or distributing items for the event should contact the Community Resource Center at (760) 230-6305 or visit www.crcncc.org.

Donations can be dropped off during business hours at the CRC Thrift Store, 111 C St., Encinitas, or at Coldwell Banker, 740 Garden View Court, Suite 100, Encinitas. The preferred deadline for donations is Dec. 12, and the most needed items are:

-- Nonperishable canned or boxed foods;

-- Jackets and coats of all sizes;

-- New, unwrapped toys and gifts for teenagers and children.

Contact staff writer Sarah Gordon at (760) 740-3517 or sgordon@nctimes.com.