Needy Kids Benefit From Santa’s Generosity

Seems that kids around Lake Elsinore and Wildomar were on Santa's "nice" list this year.

, ,, and are just some of the many organizations and people gifting toys to local needy children this holiday season.

Now American Medical Response ambulance and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors can be counted among the gift givers.

Tuesday, a convoy of 20 American Medical Response ambulances rolled into the downtown Riverside County Administration Center and loaded up hundreds of toys from the supervisors as part of the Toys for Tots program.

According to AMR representatives, the toys were distributed to children who live within the County of Riverside, and Supervisor Bob Buster’s office said Lakeland Village kids were on the list.

This is the second year AMR has conducted its countywide Stuff the Ambulance campaign, according to the supervisor’s staff.

Tom McEntee, general manager of Riverside County AMR operations, said residents have weathered high unemployment, housing foreclosures and increased costs of living.

“There are many households in severe need right now. This is a time when we can brighten the holiday for thousands of children,” McEntee said. “AMR is fortunate to have dedicated and wonderful employees who put their heart and soul into their jobs and their communities.”

Buster said AMR workers are often confronted with grief and tragedy when responding to 911 calls for assistance.

“They have really gone the extra mile to spread holiday cheer,” Buster said. “They make a difference in lives every day on the job and they make a difference in their communities even when they’re not on the clock.”

AMR employs about 720 workers in Riverside County. More than 600 of them are paramedics or emergency medical technicians.