On a rainy Saturday morning, on December 13th, something magical happened at Target San Francisco West. Officers from the San Francisco Police Department stood alongside nonprofit partners to help children in the community select gifts, turning what could have been an ordinary shopping trip into an unforgettable holiday moment.
This is the Heroes & Helpers initiative (Target’s partnership with local public safety and community organizations) to ensure that every child in San Francisco experiences the joy of the holidays, regardless of their circumstances. This year, the SFPD partnered with the San Francisco Police Community Foundation, St. Anthony’s, SF Asian Family Center, and SF PAL to help local children choose from bicycles, video games, and toys, with officers cheering them on every step of the way.
When a child picks out a present alongside a police officer, they’re experiencing the presence of someone who serves their community, showing up not in uniform with authority, but as a helper, a supporter, a witness to their joy.
“This event is about more than gifts,” said Executive Director Ixchel Acosta. “It’s about telling children they matter. It’s about demonstrating to them that community leaders care about their well-being. When we invest in moments like these, we’re investing in trust, in belonging, and in the future of our city.”
The San Francisco Police Community Foundation is grateful to Target for its generous support and to our nonprofit partners for their commitment to our youngest residents. Together, we’re building a San Francisco where holiday joy reaches every child.
Want to help build a safer San Francisco? The San Francisco Police Community Foundation brings together local businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors to support our police officers and strengthen community safety.
Through private donations from San Franciscans like you, we provide officers with better tools and resources while building trust between police and the communities they serve. Learn more today!
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