Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team collected approximately 500 toys during the “Fill The BEAR” holiday toy drive on Nov. 19 at the Beverly Connection.

Kashim-Asad Kashim, 10, and his mother Shaawnanatu Kashim helped Lt. R. Lopez, of the LAPD’s S.W.A.T. Team announce the Fill the BEAR toy drive. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The S.W.A.T. Team parked its Ballistic Engineered Armored Response (BEAR) vehicle in front of the Target store at the Beverly Connection and filled it with unwrapped toys donated by the public. The toys will be distributed on Dec. 7 to children receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children.

The institute, located at 403 W. Adams Blvd., provides care for children with musculoskeletal disorders. Children at the center will enjoy a visit with Santa, who will arrive at the hospital in a police helicopter.

The S.W.A.T. Team has held the holiday toy drive for 20 years. LAPD administrators announced the drive during a press conference on Nov. 17, and were joined by Kashim-Asad Kashim, 10, and his mother Shaawanatu Kashim, of Nigeria.

Orthopaedic Institute for Children is treating Kashim-Asad, who suffers from cerebral palsy. A family friend told the Kashims about the institute, which arranged for the family to fly to Los Angeles and for Kashim-Asad to receive treatment.

The family has been in Los Angeles for approximately six months. After multiple surgeries, Kashim-Asad is able to walk on his own for the first time in his life. His mother said the boy will need treatments at the institute for the next five years.

Officers gave Kashim-Asad a stuffed bear and a T-shirt with the S.W.A.T. Team’s logo. For information about contributing to the toy drive, visit www.toysandjoy.org.