Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital - Everychild Foundation Universally Accessible Playground

Children's Holiday Toy Parties

For more than 20 years LAPD, SWAT and CHP have supported Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital (LAOH). According to Mickie Faris, Vice President of Advancement, “The support we receive from our partners in law enforcement made the holidays brighter for over 1,500 children. These children are current and former patients and many of their families lack insurance and the financial resources to pay for medical treatment and care, let alone toys for the holidays. In addition, the thousands of toys donated by our generous benefactors ensured that the children of Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital had a very special holiday season."

Los Angeles Police Department

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) continue their long-standing holiday tradition at LAOH by transporting Santa Claus via helicopter to our OH Toys! OH Joy! event. As Santa hovers, sitting on the outside jump seat of the helicopter, excitement builds as families and LAOH employees, as well as media, all look up, cheer and welcome Santa to LAOH. After landing at LAOH, Santa greets each and every child with a toy, and poses for photos. Children and their families then enjoy refreshments, arts and crafts, and play at our Everychild Foundation Universally Accessible Playground. Every year, the LAPD places toy collection boxes at their stations where LAPD personnel and the wider community are able to make donations. Additional toys and funds (to purchase toys) are contributed by other benefactors including LAOH support groups and employees, as well as businesses and individuals throughout Los Angeles.

We thank our 2011 OH Toys! OH Joy! Committee members: Dan Madden (chair), LAPD Officer Ossie Crenshaw, Amy D’Ambra, Joe Estrada, Kelly Merda, Robert L. Moore, Jr., LAPD Officer Steve Scallon and Gay Swanson.

California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) demonstrates their support of LAOH through their CHiPs For Kids Toy Program. During the holiday season, the CHP encourages people to support the initiative by bringing new, unwrapped toys to CHP stations, as well as drop off points at retailers throughout Southern California. Among their many stops in the community is LAOH where CHP officers, CHiPPER (the CHP mascot) and Santa Claus arrive with sirens blaring, and hundreds of toys, to the delight of children and parents.

Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital thanks the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol for their commitment and dedication, not only to the children we serve, but to our community. We also thank our wonderful volunteers for their help. Their hard work helped to make our events a success and create memorable experiences.

For additional information, including sponsorship, toy donations, funding and volunteering, please contact Barbara Murray, Director of Volunteer Services, at (213) 742-1532.