April 22, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Candy Cane Driving

By Sam Skopp

 

Saturday, Dec. 9 saw the Santa Monica Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Associations co-sponsored Santa Monica’s annual Candy Cane Drive for the 25th year in a row. Vehicles from both the local fire department and police department, many of which were adorned with Christmas decorations, escort Santa Claus and a team of volunteers to parks across Santa Monica.

At each of the six locations, which included Douglas Park, Christine Reed Park, Virginia Avenue Park, Marine Park and Clover Park, kids could get their pictures taken with Santa Claus, who rode at the front of the motorcade as it arrived at each park, as well as with the decorated vehicles. Additionally, volunteers both from the fire and police departments, alongside civilian volunteers of all ages handed out candy canes to attendees of this event.

“This is Police and Fire’s way of being part of our community,” said Santa Monica Police Captain Wendell Shirley, “and to take time out to be thankful for what we have.”

As Captain Shirley was discussing the importance of engaging with the community he and his police department are sworn to protect, a child approached him and handed him a note thanking him for his service to the city, along with a small gift, wishing him a Merry Christmas.

“This is true community policing right here,” Shirley said. “The support the community gives to public safety is great.”

Captain Shirley has been a member of the Santa Monica Police Department for 24 years, and participated in the event every year since he joined.

“I’ve been doing this every year. It’s just a great event,” he said.

At its first stop, at Douglas Park, of the dozens of families, while some were walking from their cars, having driven their children to the park to get a photo alongside emergency vehicles and Santa Claus, many of those attending came from homes in the surrounding neighborhood. Each visit to each park gave members of the surrounding local areas a chance to join in on the holiday cheer.

For more information about upcoming Santa Monica City events, visit smgov.net.

A child poses with Santa alongside representatives from the Fire and Police Departments.

Photos: Sam Skopp

A vehicle decorated for Christmas.

A banner on the back of one of the police cars.
Related Posts

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...

Culver City Moves the Needle on Housing and Growth in Monthly Pipeline Update

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Monthly Development Report Shows Increase in Affordable Housing Culver City officials have released the latest updates to their Residential and...

Multi-Concept Asian Restaurant Coming to Prime Sunset Strip Corner

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Round 1 Delicious Inks Lease for Asian Dining Concept in WeHo West Hollywood will be the location for a high-end...

Hollywood Legend Raquel Welch’s Former Home Changes Hands in Beverly Glen

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

The Late Actress’s Longtime Residence Sold for $3.1 Million More than two years after Raquel Welch’s passing, the late actress’s...

Heads-Up, Westside: Downtown Santa Monica Traffic to Increase with Pali High Move

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica Braces for School Traffic Surge Following Wildfire Displacement Drivers throughout Westside communities, from Brentwood to Pacific Palisades, should...

Rents Stay Stable, but Economic Shifts Threaten the Balance

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Tariffs and Tight Supply Could End Flat Rent Streak After more than a year of minimal fluctuation, asking rents, or...

Veterans Collective Gets State Backing to Transform West LA Campus

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

State Funds Jumpstart Construction of 250 Homes and More Construction of new housing and a long-envisioned town center at the...

(Video) Malibu Discovery Party at Santa Monica Place

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North Italia Restaurant. Rosenthal Winery. Bristol Farms. Beautiful Sea Creatures. Chrysalis. Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North...

Ten Years on Wheels: Skateside Fest Rolls Back Into Culver City with the Third Year of Festival

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Annual Skate Festival Returns May 17 With Pro Demos, Live Entertainment The Skateside is set to host its third annual...

UCLA Community Protests Detention of International Grad Student at Border

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Professor Says Student Has Been Denied Access to Her Lawyer Today, an international graduate student from UCLA was taken into...

Courtroom Fireworks Amid Delay Next Phase in Menendez Case on Thursday

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Prosecutors, Defense Trade Barbs as Menendez Resentencing Hits Snag Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic has postponed a...

Experience Poetry Like Never Before at the Getty Center’s Central Garden

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

The Series Invites Visitors to Explore Art, Nature, and Sound in Harmony The Getty Center will host a new outdoor...

Newsom, Bonta Seek Court Ruling to Void Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Crisis

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Economic Fallout Prompts California Lawsuit Against Trump’s Tariffs California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit...

Culver City Police Department Report Details Week of Arrests in Ongoing Safety Push

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Police make arrests tied to parole violations, drug trafficking, burglaries, and assaults. The Culver City Police Department released a summary...