Orange County sheriff’s deputies have been pulling drivers over this week – those in jalopies or who look like they’re having a bad day.

And given them $100 each to spread some holiday cheer.

In all, $2,000 will be given to random motorists. Another $16,500 will be spread out among individuals and families whom deputies have nominated.

Kailani Earl looks up at Deputy/Santa Joe Blackston during the Sheriff’s Department toy giveaway in Stanton on Thursday, December 21. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Daniel Villa gives a gift to a child wile Santa aka Deputy Joe Blackston watches during the Sherriff’s Department Christmas gift giveaway on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Santa aka Joe Blackston sets up a command post before leading a group of Sheriff’s Deputies to a house for a Christmas gift giveaway on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Santa aka Joe Blackston gives a high-five to a child during the Sherriff’s Department’s Christmas gift giveaway on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Santa aka Deputy Joe Blackston leads a group of Sheriff’s Deputies to a house for a Christmas gift giveaway on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Barboza gives a gift to a child during the department’s annual Christmas giveaway on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Barboza holds a sleeping Daisy Hernandez during the Sheriff’s Department toy giveaway on Thursday, December 21, 2017. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Daniel Villa and Deputy/Santa Joe Blackston look down at one of the gift receipients during the Sheriff’s Department Christmas present giveaway on Thursday, December 21 in Stanton. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The cash handouts, known as Operation Secret Santa, are funded by an anonymous donor who for the third year in a row has donated to the nonprofit Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County, with instructions to have the Sheriff’s Department dole out the money to those who need and deserve it.

“You could see the drivers were a little irritated or thinking, ‘What did I do?’ ” said Gail Krause, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department. “Then the officer says, ‘I just wanted to wish you happy holidays.’ ”

Krause offered up stories about some of the recipients: