Behind the Badge
Behind the Badge

APD gobbles up chance to recognize GRIP students with ‘Operation Turkey Leg’

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By on News & Features

Anaheim Police officers joined two community organizations this week to deliver turkey dinners to students who successfully participated in the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (GRIP).

Operation Turkey Leg, launched in 2011, recognizes students who have overcome issues with completing assignments, attendance and behavior.

Three weeknights this past week, representatives from the Anaheim PD, Community Service Programs Inc. (CSP) and Anaheim First Christian Church fanned out across the city to deliver 150 turkey dinners.

Funding for the program comes from a partnership between the Anaheim First Christian Church and Walmart, with a bulk of the funds coming from the Anaheim First Christian Church Youth Program. The youth program holds several fundraisers throughout the year in support of “Operation Turkey Leg.”

In the photo at the top of this story, Ed Arevalo of the Anaheim Police Department hands over a turkey to 11-year-old Luis Juarez of Lincoln Elementary in Anaheim as Thanksgiving meals are delivered to the homes of some of the students that complete the Operation Turkey Leg Challenge. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Anaheim GRIP: Anaheim Police, Community Service Programs Inc. and Anaheim First Christian Church Partner for “Operation Turkey Leg” offering a traditional turkey dinner incentive to Anaheim students who participate in the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (GRIP) and delivered to their home by Anaheim Police Officers, GRIP and school staff, as well as volunteers from the Anaheim First Christian Church.

Christian Diaz, 11, of Lincoln Elementary in Anaheim, receives a free 25-pound turkey (along with other Thanksgiving meal items) from Lincoln Elementary School Principal Tammie Ledesma as Thanksgiving meals are delivered to students at their homes in Anaheim as part of Operation Turkey Leg. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Anaheim GRIP: Anaheim Police, Community Service Programs Inc. and Anaheim First Christian Church Partner for “Operation Turkey Leg” offering a traditional turkey dinner incentive to Anaheim students who participate in the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (GRIP) and delivered to their home by Anaheim Police Officers, GRIP and school staff, as well as volunteers from the Anaheim First Christian Church.

John Escobosa, 10, of Lincoln Elementary in Anaheim is congratulated by Ed Arevalo of the Anaheim Police Department as John’s mother, Genevieve Escobosa, holds a turkey delivered (along with other Thanksgiving meal items) to their home in Anaheim as part of Operation Turkey Leg. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

Anaheim GRIP: Anaheim Police, Community Service Programs Inc. and Anaheim First Christian Church Partner for “Operation Turkey Leg” offering a traditional turkey dinner incentive to Anaheim students who participate in the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (GRIP) and delivered to their home by Anaheim Police Officers, GRIP and school staff, as well as volunteers from the Anaheim First Christian Church.

Eleven-year-old Imanal Mendoza of Lincoln Elementary in Anaheim receives a turkey (along with other Thanksgiving meal items) delivered to his home from Officer Clint Cavaness of the Anaheim Police Department as part of Operation Turkey Leg. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC

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