FRESNO (KMJ) — Christmas has come early to children living in a valley homeless shelter.
Fresno's Police Activities league has partnered with Target and American Ambulance to put the "Heroes and Helpers" event together.
Santa Claus arrived by ambulance Monday morning – with cheers coming from the crowd of children clamouring to see him.
This is the 11th year the program has been running. The children of Plaza Terrace Housing Complex in Fresno write a list of gifts they'd like to receive – and volunteers from American Ambulance and Frseno PD buy the presents with money donated to the cause.
The money to buy them comes from a grant from Target – with the amount matched by American Ambulance.
"There's 83 kids in here who would not have Christmas", explains organizer Karen Kroeske.
"These families were homeless. They're here for three months in public housing – they would not have Christmas and every child deserves Christmas".
Organizers say the gifts donated will be the only Christmas presents the children receive this year.
