Each year, employees of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and their families donate, wrap and distribute toys and a traditional turkey dinner to families in need. These families are nominated by individuals, community groups and service organizations.

Rico and Mambo of radio station 103.3FM teamed up with the sheriff’s department to promote the food and toy drive during their morning radio show.

More than 600 gifts were received from the radio station and donation centers at each of the sheriff’s stations. Peace officers and their families wrapped the toys last week. Volunteers also prepared nearly 200 food baskets for delivery.

The department praised the following groups and organizations for helping: 103.3 The Vibe of Ventura, Creative Car Care of Ventura, Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Peace Officers Association of Ventura County, Bernzott Capitol Advisors of Camarillo, Mark-it Place of Camarillo, Telstar Communications and PODS of Oxnard, Weyerhaeuser Co. of Santa Paula and Tower Group of Westlake Village.