Two local organizations have collected toys to distribute to needy children here in the Morongo Basin. The Morongo Basin California Highway Patrol collected and distributed 793 toys in its 25th CHiPs for Kids program. The officers volunteered their time to collect and distribute the toys throughout the Basin. The majority of the toys were collected on December 17 during a toy drive in Yucca Valley. Employees of Hi-Desert Water District raised $690 through the purchase of raffle tickets at the employee Christmas party. The funds raised are used to purchase toys that will be distributed during the Tender Loving Christmas event. This is the 11th year the water district employees have raised money to buy toys for needy children.
