A Christmas to remember: Stockton police spread joy and hope to families hit by hardship
Ludwuica Pacheco and her two children stood on the porch of their green painted home on Christmas Eve in their pajamas, with smiles on their faces.
Stockton Police Department, including Chief Stanley McFadden, Stockton Police Youth Activities, and other agencies had shown up to their home on El Dorado Street with flashing lights and loud sirens.
The family watched as McFadden and police officers delivered a box containing a swing set to their home, along with other toys.
The swing set and toys were specifically picked for Ludwuica’s 2-year-old son Dorian Pacheco and her 5-year-old Madison James Pacheco.
Pacheco, a survivor of domestic violence, was one of many who were visited early Tuesday morning as part of the 25th annual Officer Matt Smith Christmas Toy Drive.
The annual toy drive is an opportunity for the police department and its partners to visit the homes of families who were victims of violent crimes or tragedies throughout the year.
A very merry Stockton Christmas
While many of these families met police under difficult circumstances, Tuesday’s interactions with the department were cheerful and positive.
Aside from toys, families were also given food in an effort to spread holiday cheer to all.
The families who had been selected for the giveaway were greeted by over 15 cars that included motorcycle police, armored vehicles, police cruisers, trailers packed with toys, ambulances, and other law enforcement vehicles.
From one of the cars Santa emerged with a bag of gifts for the kids.
Pacheco said her children love the police and Santa so she thought it would be a nice experience for her kids to see them all arrive at their home.
She said last year she wasn’t able to get presents for her two children so the toy event made her feel nice.
“Wow, I feel very good,” Pacheco said in Spanish.
She was grinning as she watched her children look in awe at the scene in front of them.
“Those two, they like the police a lot, and my daughter has autism and I want her to lose her fear (of police) because sometimes she’d be scared when they would visit at school,” Pacheco said.
The second family chosen for the toy giveaway preferred to have their moment in private.
McFadden walked a blue bicycle with a helmet to the doorway of the family's home as he grinned from ear to ear.
“They were very welcoming, it was an emotional scene as you could understand but they were very grateful,” McFadden said.
As volunteers and law enforcement waited for the police chief to give away toys, they had a surprise for neighbors.
As part of the distribution, any children who came out to see what all the noise was about were handed a gift as well.
“Merry Christmas everyone, come get your presents,” yelled volunteer JJ Beck in the streets of the Sierra Vista Apartments.
Kids and their parents began to emerge from inside of their apartments, still in their pajamas, as they witnessed the many vehicles that held countless toys to choose from.
Young kids ran excitedly from one vehicle to the next, checking to see which one held the best present.
Panda Suchai, 5, who wore a purple jacket and sported a side ponytail, used both of her hands to carry a box with a new Minnie Mouse toy inside that she picked.
'It's a blessing'
Sgt. Katie Goodwin organized the event and said 78 families were selected, as well as hospitals and shelters.
Although the toy giveaway was for families who had been impacted by violence, one family that was down on its luck was also chosen to be a part of the day.
In north Stockton, Steven Kenison’s family had not had an easy year.
According to Kenison, his family's house had burned down, leaving them with nothing except the reality of starting over.
“Everything we had burned … everything (with) sentimental value burned,” Kenison said.
He said he reached out to 15 people for help, but only the Stockton Police Department got in touch with him to offer assistance.
His children were given gifts by the department just a day before Christmas, which made the father feel appreciative.
“It feels great, it’s a blessing, there’s really not too much more to say than that but thank you guys,” Kenison said.
Prior to all the children being given their presents, a gathering was held at Arroyo’s Cafe in Stockton.
Just before the sunlight appeared, at around 7 a.m., Marines, police officers, volunteers, police dogs and other members of the public gathered in front of the restaurant.
Among the crowd was McFadden, who stood tall as his wife placed a Christmas hat on him matching one similar to hers that said, “First Lady.”
Inside the restaurant, acknowledgements were given to those who organized the event and to people who donated for the cause, which was followed by a prayer.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton police, Santa bring Christmas joy to families hit by hardship
