Karen S. Kim
NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- With sirens blaring and lights flashing, they
came.
A dozen Glendale Police officers, riding on motorcycles and in patrol
cars, a truck and an SUV, blazed a trail to College View School Tuesday
morning, bringing an important guest: Santa Claus.
"We do this every year just to bring some Christmas spirit to the kids
that are here," said Officer Dave Higgins, who organized the event. "They
seem to really enjoy it."
The fact that Santa, a.k.a. Community Service Officer Randy Robbins,
arrived in a black-and-white police car rather than a sleigh with bells
and eight reindeer didn't seem to bother the kids one bit.
"They love it," said Marsha Shultz, principal of College View School,
a program for developmentally disabled children. "They get all excited."
Indeed, children -- whether they were walking, sitting in wheelchairs
or being held by parents -- were yelling, grinning and clapping their
hands at Santa's arrival.
Robbins, standing tall at 6 feet 7 inches, came dressed in a red Santa
suit, black boots and white beard. He gave each child a stuffed animal,
snacks, a seat on his lap and a Polaroid photo with Santa.
"It's almost like a specialized Santa visit," said Shultz, adding that
Robbins would squat, stand, or sit on the ground to accommodate any
children who were wheelchair-bound or physically disabled.
Robbins has been playing the role of Santa for College View students
for 16 years.
"I love these kids," he said. "It makes me feel good that I can make
them happy. That's what Christmas is all about."
Ariana Aleen, 8, gave Robbins his reward just before he left for the
day.
The young girl sat in Santa's lap, hugged the white teddy bear she
received, then wrapped her arms tightly around Santa's neck.
"Thank you, Santa," she said.
