STOCKTON, Calif. — When the sounds and flashing lights of police sirens woke up 14-year-old Joannie Martinez early Sunday morning, she didn't expect to see Santa Claus climb out of a Stockton Police Department van.
"I was still asleep and I was like, 'what's going on, I'm scared.' Then after I came out and I saw you guys, I was like, 'Oh presents.' It's nice," said Martinez. "It was unexpected, it was great."
With new bikes, toys and groceries in hand, Stockton police officers knocked on Martinez's door in an effort to spread holiday joy to neighborhoods impacted most by violence.
"There are some very passionate men and women in our department who want to be here," said Stockton Police Chief Stan McFadden. "They left their families on Christmas Eve this morning to be part of this wonderful event."
The event, called the Officer Matt Smith Toy Project, entered its 24th year Sunday with dozens of volunteers spread out across the city to deliver toys and groceries to neighborhoods impacted by violence.
Several months of collecting more than 1,000 toys ended in the parking lot of Stockton's Arroyo's Cafe Sunday morning, where volunteers loaded up cars, ambulances and even a SWAT truck before hitting the streets.
"We're going to connect with a lot of families that, unfortunately, we connected through trauma earlier in the year," said McFadden, while thanking his detectives who have stayed in contact with the families months after the cases were reported.
But for many families visited Sunday morning, trauma was last on their minds after they saw the caravan of units pass by.
"We thought (the officers) were chasing the Grinch and we found Santa Claus," said Jose Cardenas, whose kids were surprised with free gifts. "You guys made our day."
For McFadden, putting smiles on kids' faces is what made waking up early Sunday morning worth it. He says the department is planning to bring back the annual event for the 25th time next year.
"It's overwhelming," said McFadden. "And it just reminds us all of how powerful we are together."
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