5th Annual “Cops That Care” Holiday Gift Program

Calling all Toy Donations!

On Saturday, December 22, 2007, over 1700 children from the community will gather at the Mountain View Police Department for the 5th annual "Cops That Care" holiday gift giving event. This wildly successful event, founded by Officer Ron Cooper, provides gifts for children whose families may not have the means to purchase gifts on their own. Children who have an affiliation to the Mountain View community will be able to visit the North Pole (also known as the Police/Fire Auditorium at 1000 Villa St.) and select a toy from the thousands available.

Every year, the Mountain View Police Department relies on cash and toy donations from the community in order to make this event successful and fun for the children. The Department is now accepting new and unwrapped toys and clothing as well as gift cards and cash. Donations can be brought directly to the Police Department at 1000 Villa St.

This program is designed for the families in Mountain View that are unable to purchase gifts for their children this holiday season. Parents or guardians of participating children will be asked to present something that will show their child’s affiliation to Mountain View. Examples include, but are not limited to: driver’s license/ID card with a Mountain View address, school report card, school ID, child day care enrollment form or bill, utility bill, etc.

The North Pole will be open to children on Saturday, December 22, 2007, from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about this program, community members should contact Officer Ron Cooper at 650-903-6344.

Net Gain - After School Program Celebration

Congratulations to Net Gain organizers.

Net Gain is an after-school tennis program for at-risk/disadvantaged kids in Mountain View currently on-going at the Rengstorff Park tennis courts. It is a six week program that is meeting, rain (Community Center) or shine, Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 PM; it started on November 5th and runs through December 12th. The goals of the program are to introduce tennis to other segments of the community that would not generally be exposed, promote "Community, Competition, and Character" as well as good sportsmanship and positive self-esteem.

Net Gain is the result of several members of the community teaming with the Mountain View Police Activities League, the city's Community Services Department Recreation Division, Mesa de la Comunidad, and the Mountain View Tennis Club. We currently have 15 coaches who are working with 29 children from Mountain View middle schools; we have aspirations of growth and expansion to include additional academic components. In addition to spending time on the courts with the children, the volunteers have put in many additional hours organizing and planning the clinic, and soliciting sponsors and donations from local businesses and individuals.

On the last day of the clinic, we are going to hold a fun tournament (weather permitting) at the Rengstorff Park tennis courts (3:30-5:30 PM). In addition we will be having an Awards Celebration Pizza Party at the end of the clinic for all the participants and their families. We would like to invite you to join us. It will be held Wednesday, Dec. 12th, 6:00–7:30 PM at the Mountain View Police Department Auditorium, 1000 Villa Street.