Central Coast law enforcement agencies celebrate local healthcare workers during annual ‘Operation Holiday Cheer’ event

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Central Coast healthcare workers were honored by local law enforcement agencies on Wednesday during the annual "Operation Holiday Cheer" event.

Now in its fourth year, Operation Holiday Cheer takes place in five California counties, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

Participating agencies gathered outside hospitals and filled the parking lots with lights, sirens to display the law enforcement community’s appreciation of their fellow first responders.

"It was fantastic," said Laura Portwood, Adventist Health Sierra Vista Day Stay Secretary. "It was super festive and had super music. It felt like a family."

On Wednesday, Operation Holiday Cheer was held at six local hospitals, beginning at Adventist Health Twin Cities in Templeton at 10:30 a.m.

Afterwards, other locations included Atascadero State Hospital, Adventist Health Sierra Vista in San Luis Obispo, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.

"It's been really nice having them," said Katie Stotts, French Regional Medical Center Registered Nurse. "It's really big deal because they support us so much and they do so much for our community. It's nice to be able to kind of see them and have fun, instead of just having our normal interactions with patient care."

Local law enforcement agencies that took part are the Arroyo Grande Police Department, Cal Poly Police Department, San Luis Obispo Police Department, San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria offices, Atascadero Police Department, Grover Beach Police Department, Paso Robles Police Department, Morro Bay Police Department, Cuesta College Police Department, Atascadero State Hospital, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Men’s Colony Fire.

At the same time health care workers were being recognized, Operation Holiday Cheer also gave them the opportunity to return the favor to law enforcement officers and shower them with gratitude as well.

“It's just a vice versa," said Conzy Tompkins, Sierra Vista Scheduling Supervisor. "We appreciate them as well for their unwavering commitment to the community and for them to do that. It's so, so important for us.”

In total, including other locations in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Benito counties, the event will visit more than three dozen hospitals.