By Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
CHULA VISTA–Members of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, San Diego chapter teamed up with American Legion Post 434 showed its appreciation for law enforcement and first responders by providing a free barbecue meal.
Members of both organizations volunteered their time to hand out the home-cooked meals to first responders as they drove through the American Legion Post’s parking lot.
The Saturday afternoon event was opened to first responders in the South County and in the San Diego region, according to event organizers.
“We came together as a chapter, in conjunction with the American Legion in Chula Vista, and providing free meals as an appreciation for the work our law enforcement community is doing out here in South County,” said David Ardilla, president of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, San Diego chapter.
“We facilitated the American Legion so they can distribute the food for their law enforcement officers. We are providing the facility as well as all the required items that they need to make this a grateful event, “ said First Vice Commander Angel Castillo, of American Legion Post 434.
First responders from National City and Chula Vista steadily drove through the post’s parking lot to pick up hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, beans, water and soft drinks.
Due to the San Diego county COVID-19 health order, the event had to be scaled back to allow for social distancing.
The group plans to host another law enforcement and first responders appreciation meal in 2021.
