Lakeland's Sanlan RV park shines bright at Christmas

Christmas is going to be a little brighter this year for more than 30 Polk County, FL, youngsters thanks to the efforts of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and residents at the Sanlan RV Park. Each year, Polk County Sheriff’s COPS (Community Oriented Policing) deputies countywide gather toys and donations from residents and fellow PCSO members, in hopes of being able to provide needy children they come into contact with in their areas of responsibility with a special treat during the holidays, according to the Lake Wales News.

The toys that are collected, wrapped, and distributed by the COPS deputies are often the only Christmas presents these children receive.

This year, the residents at Sanlan RV Park in Lakeland exemplified the true meaning of Christmas, humbling the COPS deputies who have participated in this event year after year, noted sheriff’s spokesman Carrie Eleazer.

“These generous men and women, many of whom are  Snow Birds and not year-round Polk County residents, donated enough toys and money to bring smiles upon the faces of over 30 children,” Eleazer said. “In fact, these residents gave so much, the COPS deputies extended offers to other deputies throughout the county – if deputies outside of the south Lakeland area knew of children elsewhere who were going to “go without” this year, there were plenty of toys to go around to those children as well, thanks to the Sanlan RV Park elves.”

This is the first year Sanlan RV Park has participated in this event.

“Once Jeanne Grenz and Marie Camm, the office assistants here, let everyone know what we were doing, the residents just opened their hearts and their pocketbooks,” said Garry Hoffman, manager of Sanlan RV Park.

In addition to the numerous toys they collected, Jeanne and Marie collected enough money from the residents to purchase nine bicycles and three Radio Flyers.

Two other residents, David and Patti Wittman, played Santa and and his wife at the Annual SW COPS Christmas Party and helped Sheriff Judd and the COPS deputies hand out the bikes and toys to the children in Sanlan RV Park's community room.

Shine on brightly Sanlan RV Park.  So many wonderful feelings here, we're sure this will become a Christmas tradition and grow bigger every year.  Better make next year's reservations now!