“ChiPs for Kids” donates toys to Unity Shoppe

Officers from the California Highway Patrol descended on Santa Barbara’s Unity Shoppe Thursday, to ensure local children have a Merry Christmas.

Officers completed their annual “CHiPs for Kids” project, collecting new, unwrapped toys that will be given out to needy children. Groups aiding the CHP in the effort include Caltrans, Walgreens, Kmart and Golden One Credit Union.

Reporter John Palminteri was live on the scene at 11:00 a.m. Thursday as CHP officers began the process of unloading and sorting toys to be donated. Unity Shoppe is a local project dedicated to helping those in need with aid ranging from food to clothing to job interviewing skills.

Palminteri took viewers on a live tour from outside where toys ranging from dolls to board games were being sorted, to inside where the toys are processed and prepared for donations. Unity Shoppe will be taking donations through tomorrow.

They say even though the shop appears busy and full, the toys are going fast.

The Unity Shoppe is located at 1401 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara.