Cops, Santa bring holiday cheer to hospitals in the Victor Valley

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·2 min read
The 3rd annual Inland Empire Holiday Cheer caravan included law enforcement officials escorting Santa Claus to medical facilities and hospitals across the Victor Valley.
The 3rd annual Inland Empire Holiday Cheer caravan included law enforcement officials escorting Santa Claus to medical facilities and hospitals across the Victor Valley.

The 3rd annual Inland Empire Holiday Cheer caravan included law enforcement officials and vehicles escorting Santa Claus to medical facilities across the Victor Valley.

With sirens blaring and lights flashing, the caravan arrived in the High Desert on Tuesday, with the first stop at Desert Valley Hospital and then onto Victor Valley Global Medical Center — both located in Victorville.

The caravan of cheer then proceeded to Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, then to Kaiser Permanente’s High Desert Medical Office in Victorville.

On Wednesday, the parade continued throughout the Inland Empire, with a final stop for all agencies at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

During the two-day caravan tour, medical staff and visitors waved to the passing caravan, which included Santa Claus and vehicles from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and several other agencies from San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

“We hope to spread as much cheer to doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff who continue to work around the clock to keep the community safe, a mission shared by law enforcement,” SBC Sheriff’s officials said.

The coordinated effort of over 35 counties and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies traveled an estimated 300 miles and visited 30 sites, including hospitals and medical offices.

The Inland Empire Holiday Cheer caravan is one of the most significant events involving San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

The caravan’s original project coordinator is Colton Police Officer Rich Randolph, a 16-year veteran of the department and Colton High School’s resource officer.

Over the years, Randolph has organized caravans of officers to deliver toys to children at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. He also provided toys, food, and gift cards to families in the community who have experienced a tragic loss, according to the Chino High School Pepper Bough.

Sponsors of the event included the Sheriff’s Employee Benefits Association, Riverside Sheriff’s Association, Monster Energy, and Baker’s Drive-Thru.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Cops, Santa Claus bring holiday cheer to hospitals in the Victor Valley