Who:
The Honorable Mayor James K. Hahn, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Dennis Zine, Ed Reyes and Wendy Greuel, Los Angeles Police Commissioners David Cunningham, Alan Skobin, Corina Alarcon, Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Centurions Baseball Team, Numerous Community and Volunteer Organizations, Los Angeles Dodger Legend Lou Johnson and Santa Claus

What:
FREE Holiday Party and Toys for Thousands of Needy Kids in Los Angeles

Where:
LAPD Academy, 1880 North Academy Drive, Los Angeles

When:
Saturday, December 18, 2004, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Los Angeles: On Saturday, December 18, 2004, the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park will transform into a Winter Wonderland for thousands of Los Angeles children and their families.

This unique community event is an exciting, one of a kind holiday party that is FREE to the public and brings together police officers, elected officials, children and the community to celebrate the spirit of the holidays.

Last year, more than 2,500 underprivileged children from around the City received presents and warm holiday wishes from the LAPD Centurions Baseball Team and attending guests. This year, holiday partygoers will be treated to a special performance by Jamie Jones, lead vocalist of the singing group “All for One” and will be entertained by other live bands throughout the day.

On display will be an LAPD helicopter, tactical equipment and police vehicles from the Department’s specialized units and guests will have the opportunity to meet with officers from the LAPD SWAT Team, Mounted and K-9 Units. Interactive games, bouncers, rock climbers,

a bungee run and the Dodgers on Wheels mobile unit will also be on hand for the duration of the event.

Just before 1:00 p.m., Santa Claus will arrive in a 1958 Chevy LAPD Police Car to kick off the toy giveaway.

Provisional Event Schedule

• 10:00 a.m. Event Begins
• 11:30 a.m. Remarks by Mayor James K. Hahn
• 12:30 p.m. Pastor Message English/Spanish - LAPD Chaplain Ken Crawford & Rick Jimenez
• 12:40 p.m. Remarks from Event Organizer, Police Officer Michael Scott
• 12:45 p.m. Introduction of Special Guests
• 12:55 p.m. Arrival of Santa Claus in the 1958 Chevy Police Car
• 1:00 p.m. Toy Giveaway Begins in the Academy Gymnasium

For additional information regarding the 2004 LAPD Holiday Experience & Toy Giveaway, or to make a donation, please contact Police Officer Mike Scott, at 818-268-2488, or e-mail at scottsoldier@aol.com.

This news advisory was written by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.