Behind the Badge
They hoisted planks and poured cement, hammered nails and turned screws, wielded paint brushes and tape measures.
And by the end of the day, a swath of land in a West Anaheim enclave became a happier place.
Close to 40 Orange County Sheriff’s employees, sworn and unsworn, volunteered on their own time Tuesday, Oct. 25, on the construction of a playground in an underserved neighborhood where there are few places for kids to play.
OCSD Dep. Robert Hack was among close to 40 OCSD employees who volunteered in a playground construction project at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD’s contribution was part of a large volunteer project to bring a new playground at the 40-year-old Independencia Family Resource Center.
The center, which falls under the umbrella of the Community Action Partnership of Orange County, provides residents in the low-income neighborhood with a range of services that include after-school programs, senior lunches, health and wellness programs and parenting classes.
The new playground, which replaces a playground that was in disrepair, will serve close to 600 youngsters.
“There is nothing more frustrating than seeing that that kids don’t … have a safe place to spend their time,” said Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, who spoke to the volunteers before the work started. “This new playground is more than just a playground. It is a space where children can imagine, make friends, live a healthy lifestyle and thrive.”
OCSD Dep. Pete Chavez and CSA Christine Smith hauled wood chips to the new playground, built by hundreds of volunteers at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
The OCSD provides police services in the neighborhood, which is in an unincorporated area of the county.
OCSD Capt. Bill Baker, who oversees jail operations, once patrolled the neighborhood.
“I know this neighborhood,” Baker said. “The kids need something like this here.”
OCSD Deputy Maurice Bonilla took a break from painting duties during the playground building volunteer project at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Bonilla was among close to 40 OCSD volunteers. Photo by Lou Ponsi/ Behind the Badge OC
Many of the volunteers were part of the OCSD’s Six Points for Kids campaign, a deputy-driven program that serves needy children through a variety of grassroots projects.
The project was organized by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that provides grant funding for playground projects, mostly in low-income areas.
KaBoom! often partners with Target stores on playground building projects and there were more than 150 employees from local Target stores volunteering alongside the OCSD crew at the Indpendencia build.
The OCSD learned about the playground project during an open house hosted by the Community Action Partnership.
“It is important for us to help give back to the communities we serve,” said Gail Krause, OCSD public affairs manager. “We want to make sure that residents in these communities see us as partners and know we are here to help.”
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens chats with a volunteer during the playground build in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
CSA Rebeca Flores and Dep. Adam Nauta of the OCSD took on painting duties and were among close to 40 OCSD employees who volunteered for a playground building project at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Robert Hack was among close to 40 OCSD employees who volunteered in a playground construction project at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
From left, CSA Nadine Martinez and deputies Lindsey Rodgers and Gene Minko construct playground equipment as part of a major playground building volunteer project in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Kaylynn Cramer smooths out freshly poured cement during the playground building project. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
Lt. Mike McHenry of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was among close to 40 OCSD employees who volunteered to help construct a playground at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
From left, OCSD deputies Kaylynn Cramer, Pete Chavez and Heather Drumond posed for a photo before the volunteer playground building project got underway at the Independencia Family Resource Center in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens spoke words of encouragement to volunteers at the playground building project in Anaheim. Photo by Lou Ponsi/Behind the Badge OC
