Vancouver – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) personnel in Vancouver surely "Made a Difference Every Day" for three families. WSP personnel from District 5 Command Staff, Clerical Staff, Vancouver Detachments, Vancouver Communications, Vancouver CVE, Vancouver Crime Lab and a WSPTA member family wanted to make it a special time for unfortunate families in Clark County.

The WSP adopted a family of five from the local Salvation Army. The father had a physical disability and the mother was unemployed raising three children. The response was overwhelming with the WSP along with friends donating food, gifts and cash to make sure Christmas was very special, not only to the original family of five, but also two additional families. The second family was a low income father and mother raising two children. The third family was a grandmother with four grandchildren.

The spouse of a WSPTA member coordinated the collection along with spending many hours shopping and wrapping additional food and gifts to make sure everything was perfect.

On December 22nd, WSPTA members, spouses, and a WSP communications officer delivered the food and gifts to the three families. It was a rewarding sight seeing the faces of the families showing their appreciation for what the WSP and friends had done.

The WSP Trooper’s Association (WSPTA) played a big part in the special time as well. The District 5 (Vancouver) WSPTA Representative came through, encouraging the WSPTA to donate $2,000 with $1,000 being spent for the three families purchasing food and gifts. The additional $1,000 went to the Salvation Army general toy fund. The Salvation Army advised they only had $4,000 in the general toy fund with the WSPTA generous donation accounted for 20% of all the toys purchased for Clark County.