What it takes to brighten the holidays for 1,500 children and their families.

Was it a Christmas miracle? In a period of less than three hours Saturday morning, hundreds of West Contra Costa County families in need received a bag of toys, a full holiday dinner to take home and brand new bicycles at the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) gymnasium in Richmond.

Although a massive line had formed outside the gym before 8 a.m., a few dozen volunteers played the role of hyper-efficient elves, forming a production line of sorts that ensured every family passing through the facility at 22nd Street and Macdonald Avenue did not leave empty handed.

For those witnessing the Richmond Fire and Police Toy Holiday Program in action for the first time, it was an impressively smooth operation. Of course, in just that moment one cannot fathom the amount of effort, and, at times, uncertainty, that precedes the 33-year-old charity drive, which has grown to serve about 1,500 children and their families this year.

Hundreds of community members lined up to receive donated items from the Richmond Fire and Police Holiday Program on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2019.

"It took a lot of effort from a lot of people," said Ben Therriault, organizer and president of the Richmond Police Officers Association.

It certainly didn't help that, just over a week before the event, program officials announced a shortage in donations. In the nick of time, businesses and community members in West County and beyond stepped up and saved Christmas for local families in need. The Oakland A's, for example, made a donation and also sent its mascot Stomper to Saturday's event, according to Therriault.

"Many parts of the community responded, and that's what allows us to put this together," he said.

The Richmond Fire and Police Toy Holiday Drive was inspired back in 1989 by now-retired Richmond firefighter Rod Woods, who organized a toy drive. Meanwhile, the Richmond Police Department had been running a food drive. After many years of growing their separate programs, Fire and Police united as one, with the Chevron Fire Department also stepping up and adding its continued support.

families.