Who:
LAPD Assistant Chief James McDonnell, and LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann

What:
Holiday Gift Drive

When:
Wednesday, December 22, 2004 , at 8:00 a.m.

Where:
Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital, San Diego, Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego

Los Angeles: LAPD Assistant Chief James McDonnell and Deputy Chief Michael Hillmann, along with LAPD SWAT and Patrol Officers will be driving to Camp Pendleton to present gifts to the wounded troops.

There are approximately 400 injured soldiers that have returned from Iraq , many with severe injuries that have been recently transferred to the hospital at Camp Pendleton for further surgeries and physical therapy. There is not enough room in the hospital for all the injured soldiers, so temporary hospital quarters have been set up. These buildings are not designed for long term use and there is no source of entertainment for the troops to watch TV or listen to music.

The Los Angeles Police Department is collecting donations, portable electronics devices such as DVD players with a headset, CD players with a headset, or a game boy.

These items need to be donated by December 21, 2004 , so they can be delivered in time for Christmas. If you would like to make a donation, we can provide a tax identification number for your records. Checks can be made out to "Central Area Station Fund."

For additional information please contact Officer Gary Ross, at 213-473-0220 or Officer Kathy McAnany at 213-972-1880.

This news advisory was prepared by Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.