Community Briefs Community Briefs (December 30, 2005)

Cops play Santa to hundreds of kids

Mountain View police gave out Christmas presents to 1,200 local children at last week's "Cops That Care" event.

The department collected toys, clothing and school supplies from the community and passed them out to needy children. Participants also got the chance to visit with Santa and have their photos taken.

Law firm Fenwick & West donated the film, Wal-Mart donated toys and candy canes, and refreshments came from Hobee's of Palo Alto.

"We really appreciate the last-minute help that the community gave to make this event happen," said police spokesperson Josef Kachman. "A lot of people were bringing toys during the event."

Cops That Care started two years ago when Officer Ron Cooper went door-to-door, compiling his own list of children he thought could use a gift from the police department. -- Jon Wiener

Casa SAY completes renovations

Casa SAY (Social Advocates for Youth), an eight-bed crisis shelter in Mountain View for runaway, homeless and abused teens, recently completed its two-year renovation process. The last phase, which completed the landscaping outside the house on View Street, was finished in mid-December and was made possible by the Housing Industry Foundation located in Campbell.

"Having a yard provides for a place for physical activity, gardening, arts and crafts and group meeting space," said Michelle Covert, director of the youth division of EHC LifeBuilders, the emergency housing consortium, of which Casa SAY is a member. "It allows the program to appear welcoming and pleasing for the families and the neighborhood."

The program serves over 80 youth and their families in Santa Clara County each year, with an 85 percent success rate in reuniting youth with their families. -- Molly Tanenbaum

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