Livermore Police Deliver Gifts To 40 Local Students And Families

LIVERMORE, CA — To celebrate the holiday season in what has been an otherwise year chalked full of grim news, the Livermore Police Department teamed up with the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District to bring a little cheer to students and their families.

The 12th annual Shop With A Cop program, socially distanced of course, brought gifts to students of the school district on Dec. 5. Some 22 students from Granada High School's leadership class took part by shopping for students based on wish lists that were prepared by other students.

Livermore police officers later delivered gifts to the homes of some 40 students within the district.

"By far the most students ever served through this program," district officials wrote in a statement.

"The school district is so fortunate to be able to partner with the Livermore Police Department to help our kids," said Pat Avilla, principal of Andrew N. Christensen Middle School. "Thank you to the Livermore community for always supporting this program."

Avilla and Livermore Police Officer Dan Cabral launched the program in Livermore 12 years ago.

"This year's Shop with a Cop program might have been slightly impeded due to Covid 19, however it was probably the most needed and special year of all!" Cabral wrote in a statement. "Our community, the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, and the Livermore Police Department came together to bless 40 families, a record this year. Our police officers never hesitate to volunteer their unpaid time to give back to the community they love to serve."

The program received a haul of support this year, as each participating officer from the Livermore Police Officers Association paid $75 to take part in "No-Shave November," with all proceeds going to the gift drive.

Twelve years ago, in 2009, the program began with just 4 officers, 8 student recipients and $2,000 in personal donations. The program now sees about $20,000 in community donations, according to the district.