The race may be over, but there is no finish line when it comes to helping abused children!
Hundreds of community members, business leaders, Deputy Sheriff's, Firefighters, California Highway Patrol Officers, American Medical Response personnel, friends, and family members joined at the Racer's Edge Indoor Karting facility Thursday night to raise money for abused children and other causes -
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Santa Clarita Valley Station joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, and American Medical Response at the First Annual "Fast and Furious First Responders" fund-raising event last night.
Representatives from the emergency services agencies volunteered their time and, in partnership with Racer's Edge, brought an indoor kart racing challenge to local government, the public, and business entities. The first responders challenged each other and offered a unique opportunity for the public to race against a police officer, deputy sheriff, paramedic or firefighter - all for a great cause. The common goal of the event was to raise money to help victims of some of the worst cases of child abuse and neglect in Los Angeles County - as well as other charities.
Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station was joined by an estimated 400 people throughout the evening Thursday at the five hour charity event. More than 200 people actually raced, while others cheered them on and enjoyed the music, food, and prizes.
By the time the checkered flag was dropped, the event had raised more than $6,000 for the Racer's Edge local business, a substantial portion of which will be donated to four different non-profit charitable organizations as follows:
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department: "999 for Kids Program"
- California Highway Patrol - "Newhall Area Squad Club" (support for fallen officers' families)
- Los Angeles County Fire Department: "Explorer Post 6 Program"
- American Medical Response: "The American Cancer Society"
Local sheriff's officials are calling the event a resounding successes and estimate that nearly $2,000 will be donated to the "999 for Kids" Program.
Every year the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, and other sheriff's stations throughout Los Angeles County host events in support of the annual "999 for Kids" fund-raiser. If people in the community need emergency help, they call 9-1-1, but if deputies need emergency help they radio "999." In 1985 the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Department of Children and Family Services joined together and organized the "999 for Kids" Program as a way to help abused kids.
This organization was developed in an effort to help children who are victims of the most severe cases of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence. The Specialized Medical Placement Unit and Deaf Services Unit of the Department of Children and Family Services are responsible for the care of more than 1,000 of these children who benefit from the "999 for Kids" Program. The number of children has been increasing each year. Although tax dollars provide for the basic needs for these children, there are no funds available for the needs that go beyond basic care.
That's why your Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, with the support of the the City of Santa Clarita, the County of Los Angeles, Racer's Edge Indoor Karting, Starbucks Coffee Company, Home Depot, Lowe's, Six Flags Magic Mountain, the Miss SCV Royal Court, Regal Entertainment Group - Valencia Stadium 12, Princess Cruises, Wolf's Towing and Auto Repair, California Pizza Kitchen, Marie Callender's, All Corked Up, KHTS-AM-1220, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, along with all the generous residents in the Santa Clarita Valley, all stepped in to help make this event a success.
The "999 for Kids" Program raises money for the purpose of purchasing special items and services for these children, i.e., sport wheelchairs, computers, special education classes, medically-oriented toys and games, and a yearly holiday party. A few examples of how some of the funds were spent in the past are:
- Piano lessons for a child who is blind.
- The purchase of a specialized tricycle for a child with a seizure disorder, severe developmental delays and cerebral palsy.
- A gastro-intestinal feeding switch and pump for a child with cerebral palsy.
- The purchase of a television/VCR/DVD combo for a child with a chronic lung disease.
- Purchase of a bicycle and helmet fro a child with sickle cell anemia.
The "999 for Kids" Program is an opportunity for a corporation or individuals to join others in providing much needed funds for this very special program. Of course, most contributions and donations are tax deductible.
"We got into law enforcement and emergency services because we want to help people," said Captain Anthony La Berge of the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station. "Participating in events like this, that we know are helping children and others in need, is just an extension of what we do - it's in us," he added.
The race is never over when it comes to helping abused children!
The top five finishers with the fastest single lap times at the event were as follows:
- *Ryan Drake - City of Santa Clarita - 24.41 seconds
- *Andrew Schlottman - undetermined agency or entity - 24.52 seconds
- *Larry Verdugo - Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - 24.58 seconds
- *Ryan Resella - City of Santa Clarita - 24.63 seconds
- Chris Cabral - California Highway Patrol - 24.65 seconds
*Trophies will be presented to those who had the four overall fastest lap times at a later date.
There was also a "Pit Crew Challenge" to see how fast one person could change two real race car tires. That event was won by Deputy Michael Lorenzi of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station with a time of 41.58 seconds. Mike won a one year season pass to Racer's Edge, which he donated to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Explorer Program.
If you are interested in donating to the "999 for Kids" Program, but did not have time to attend this event you can join us next year or do it now by visiting their Web site: "999 for Kids" or by contacting Deputy Mike Lorenzi at (661) 799-5160 or Deputy David Shoemaker at (661) 510-1289 if you would like to see the funds donated on your behalf directly through the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.
For questions regarding this Press Release, contact Sergeant Darren Harris at (661) 799-5814.
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
Always verify the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station's information and news releases by visiting our website at SCVSheriff, the City of Santa Clarita's website at Santa-Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's website at LASD or a trusted local news source. Four other local news outlets are KHTS AM-1220, The Signal, Santa Clarita Valley Nonprofit News Center, and The West Ranch Beacon.
