Antioch’s year end Help for the Holidays drive looked a lot like a neighborhood-sized Santa operation yesterday, with officers and volunteers handing out toys, groceries and winter gear to local families. Photos shared by the police department show kids clutching wrapped gifts, families loading up bags of food and volunteers sorting piles of donations into boxes for delivery.
According to the department, the effort reached 106 families and more than 300 children, thanks to what organizers called the “incredible generosity” of residents and donors who filled collection bins across the city.
In a Facebook post on Monday, the department thanked the Vistalli family, the Antioch Police Activities League, the City of Antioch and businesses including Rivertown Treasure Chest and Grocery Outlet, along with Tri Delta Transit, Antioch Unified School District, Contra Costa County Fire and other community partners for helping collect and deliver supplies. The post noted that Giving Tuesday donations helped top off supplies and that volunteers packed care packages for dozens of households. The Antioch Police Department includes photos and a full list of partners.
Vistalli Family’s ‘Disney House’ Draws The Donations
The Vistalli family’s holiday display, often called the “Disney House,” has for years doubled as a collection point for toys and warm clothing, turning a decked out front yard into a neighborhood charity hub. The family’s annual drive has repeatedly partnered with the police department during past seasons.
As reported by ABC7, the Vistallis have previously collected gifts for more than 100 families, which helps explain why they were singled out among volunteers and donors in Monday’s thank yous.
How Local Agencies And Shops Stepped In
Public agencies and small businesses helped move the goods where they needed to go, providing collection sites, transportation and volunteer hours. Tri Delta Transit, which runs bus routes and an on demand Tri MyRide service across eastern Contra Costa County, brings a region wide network that can be tapped to move people and supplies to distribution sites, according to Tri Delta Transit.
Downtown merchant Rivertown Treasure Chest and local Grocery Outlet stores were also highlighted by the department for hosting collection bins and helping with logistics.
Community Impact
Organizers described the year end distribution as the result of a patchwork of small donations, corporate support and volunteer time that together helped send children home with presents and eased holiday food costs for many households. In its post, the Antioch Police Department closed by thanking residents “inside and outside our city” whose contributions made the effort possible and voiced hope that the spirit of cooperation will carry into next year.
