Pleasanton - Police officers and department employees delivered toys and clothing to several families Friday that might otherwise not have had much to celebrate this Christmas.

The families, screened by the Salvation Army, included on headed by a single parent, and the rest two-parent families, one with a new baby, said Craig Eicher, president of the Pleasanton Police Officers' Association.

"A lot of people just come in contact with us when we issue them a citation," said Eicher, a detective.  "That's not all police work is all about.  It's about helping people."

One recipient, an elderly woman who wasn't home will get her presents during the next few days.

The PPOA has 77 members and is comprised of officers and sergeants.  The organization, which gives officers insurance, other benefits and professional assistance, expanded its Christmas effort to a department wide effort.  Also each year, the PPOA conducts a Christmas Basket effort to help needy families during the holidays.

Dispatchers and community service officers, who perform a variety of technical skills in the department, went shopping for the families, buying hundreds of dollars worth of things they can use.

The association has been active in a variety of community efforts, part of a total of $15,000 the group has spent on such projects this year.

The projects include the Special Olympics, aid to families of officers killed or injured on duty or their relatives who needed help, and other community efforts.

For instance, the association donated to a safe and sober graduation night program, a high school girls golf program, Hope Hospice, Marine Corps Toys for Tots and dozens of other programs throughout the year.

For more information on the PPOA's programs, call 925-600-7780.

Valley Times - Saturday, December 18, 1999

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