A Night of Smiles and Surprises at the Live Oak Pumpkin Patch
“We are incredibly grateful to Kay Weissenfels and her entire team for not only giving us access to this beautiful space but for generously providing us with dozens of free gaming cards to hand out to people. But we really want to thank our SEBA members who donate a portion of their paycheck each month to SEBA charities. We understand your commitment to the community, and we are excited to use your generous donations for meaningful interactions with the communities we serve.”
A half dozen deputies patrolled the Live Oak Pumpkin Patch Friday night intent on finding their targets for the evening. They weren’t hunting for suspects of a crime, rather, they were looking for families to surprise with random acts of kindness to help make their night of Halloween fun a little more festive.
Seven members of the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) which represents sworn law enforcement for San Bernardino County, made their way around the pumpkin patch in full uniform, quietly paying for pumpkins, covering the cost of games, and even buying meals and treats for families. It wasn’t about the money, though. It was about connection—showing our community that we are here not only to protect but also to support and give back in meaningful ways.
“We wanted to come out and just engage with families on a personal level,” said Detective Derek Brandt, who serves as SEBA Treasurer. “We want to show them we are part of this community and that we know how to have fun. We want them to see us as neighbors.”
Throughout the evening, our SEBA members mingled with local families, shared stories, and engaged in lighthearted conversations with children who were eager to share their excitement about Halloween. Parents and kids had heartwarming interactions with the deputies in a positive and playful setting. The event was designed to help foster trust between law enforcement and the people we serve every day.
“We are incredibly grateful to Kay Weissenfels and her entire team for not only giving us access to this beautiful space but for generously providing us with dozens of free gaming cards to hand out to people,” said Detective Alisha Rosa, the SEBA Vice President. “But we really want to thank our SEBA members who donate a portion of their paycheck each month to SEBA charities. We understand your commitment to the community, and we are excited to use your generous donations for meaningful interactions with the communities we serve.”
SEBA Charities has a longstanding history of providing incredible support for children and families in San Bernardino County. Friday’s pop-up event was a part of SEBA’ Everyday Heroes charitable programming, which expands deputies’ outreach beyond the day-to-day duties to unique events like the pumpkin patch pop-up. Events like this remind us of the importance of community, connection, and care, Rosa said.
Beyond the smiles, the event was also an opportunity to support the local vendors and small business owners who make Live Oak Pumpkin Patch a cherished fall tradition. By covering the costs of food and games, SEBA not only provided a wonderful experience for attendees but also helped boost the patch’s business, reinforcing our commitment to supporting local commerce.
SEBA Charities is already looking forward to our next community event to continue building bridges and making lasting memories with the people who matter most—our community.
Where will SEBA pop up next? Stay tuned…