Merchants, police rescue Christmas
by Lenny Roberts

Each year, many families of the Ojai Valley would not have much of a Christmas if not for the efforts of generous merchants, whose help is solicited by Sheriff's Deputy Scotty Baugher and his wife, Melissa.
With assistance from dispatcher Tina Cook, 33 needy families received gift boxes containing a turkey, dressing, potatoes, vegetables, bread, cookies and toys Saturday night as Santa Claus made a special early trip to the Ojai Police Department.
The Baughers spent most of Saturday picking up discounted frozen turkeys - more than 200 in all - from Vons Market in Oxnard. What was not packaged for Ojai families was delivered to other sheriff's substations throughout the county for other needy families.
Along with the Vons' donation and a sizable contribution from the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association, local merchants Ojai Sports, Serendipity Toys, Joe's Quick Mart, Ojai Valley Card and Gift, Ojai Unocal 76, Meiners Oaks Ace Hardware, Oak View Shell, The Ranch House, Farmer's Insurance, Rains Department Store, Monte Widders, Wells Fargo Bank, Fred's Tire Man, Ojai Valley Feed and Ben Franklin saw to it that local kids in needy families aged 16 and under were granted their Christmas wishes.
The giveaway was under the direction of the Share-iff's Christmas Food and Toy Drive, which has been in operation for the past 21 years. The gift boxes were packaged by volunteers, under the direction of coordinator Corina Lozano of the Sheriff's Department.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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