Sheriff Baca Hoping Public Will Contribute Materials So Inmates Can Make Holiday Toys

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Sheriff Lee Baca is hoping the public and store merchants will respond to a request for materials that will be used by county jail inmates to construct wooden toys and cloth dolls for needy children.

The toy program is in its 50th year.

"I am extremely proud of the men and women involved in this ongoing program," Baca said. "Each year, the labors of the instructional staff and jail inmates brighten the lives of children within our communities by providing a gift that may be the only one the child receives at Christmastime."

Personnel from the Pitchess Detention Center and South Facility will distribute about 150 wooden cars, trucks and helicopters and 1,400 cloth dolls.

People interested in donating doll materials should call Gloria Welsh at (323) 568-4500, and anyone with wooden toy materials should contact Sgt. Gerri McCorkle at (661) 295-8805.

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