Campus & community, Campus news

Thanksgiving arrives early at Albany Village

For the third year in a row, the UCPD delivered turkey and the trimmings to student families.

By Public Affairs

Alex Yao, Michael Wykoff
A happy resident gets the goods from UCPD’s Alex Yao and Michael Wykoff. Wykoff coordinated the effort. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)

November 18, 2016

Alex Yao, Michael Wykoff
A happy resident gets the goods from UCPD’s Alex Yao and Michael Wykoff. Wykoff coordinated the effort. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
loading boxed turkeys
First, boxes filled with frozen turkeys were carted out of Crossroads Dining Commons and loaded up for the trip to Albany Village. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
Wendy Ellison, director of Family Services at University Village, identifies the recipients. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
A golf cart is put into service to help distribute the gifts. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
John Suezuki
UCPD’s John Suezuki distributes the birds and veggie boxes to delivery teams. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
Sunil Chacko
Sunil Chacko, Cal Dining purchasing manager, pitches in. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
Alex Yao smiling
UCPD Captain Alex Yao played a key role on the delivery team. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)
Wendy Ellison, Michael Wykoff
Another handoff by Wendy Ellison, of University Village, UCPD’s Michael Wykoff. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)

The University of California Police Department at Berkeley came to University Village Albany bearing the makings of Thanksgiving dinner for 60 student families Thursday.

Officers, along with University Village managers, delivered a frozen turkey, a 5-pound box of produce and a $30 gift card to each of 60 families who live in the complex for student families, said Capt. Alex Yao. “With the holiday season approaching, we are reminded of those in our community who can use a little cheer and some help to ensure they have a happy Thanksgiving.”

This is the third year that UCPD has collaborated with Cal Dining, University Village management and the UCPD Police Officers Association (POA) to provide Thanksgiving meals as part of the UCPD C.U.B.S. (Community United By Service) initiative. Generous donations meant that this year, the program was able to bring Thanksgiving dinner to twice as many families as in the past two years.