The West Hartford Police Department has been collecting toys as well as other items as holiday gifts for local families in needs, and will be accepting donations through Dec. 21.
By Ronni Newton
The West Hartford Police Department held several “stuff-a-cruiser” events this month, and is still welcoming donations that will be given as holiday gifts to West Hartford children.
On Wednesday afternoon, Irene Klein from the Community Relations Division, as well as Off. Shane McAvay, Off. Peter Kisela, and Lt. Mike Alquist stood in front of Marshall’s in Bishops Corner, collecting new unwrapped toys, gift books, age-appropriate movies and games, and children’s clothing, as well as financial donations.
“We already filled one cruiser and we are working on the next,” Klein said. She said that more than $500 in monetary donations had also been collected on Wednesday.
Most of the donated items will be distributed to students at West Hartford Public Schools whose families may not be able to afford to provide holiday gifts this year. West Hartford’s Department of Social Services will also be distributing some of the collected items.
In past years, the West Hartford Police Department would hold the stuff-a-cruiser event in front of Toys’ R’ Us in Corbin’s Corner, and there was some concern this year that since the store closed, it would be difficult to find an alternative high-traffic location.
Successful collections were held in front of Toy Chest on in West Hartford Center on Sunday evening as well as at Marshall’s on Wednesday, but the West Hartford Police are still accepting additional donations.
Items can be dropped off through Dec. 21 at the West Hartford Police Department, 105 Raymond Rd., West Hartford. Donors are asked to avoid items with safety hazards as well as toy weapons of any kind.
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Catherine Gibson (left) a children’s book author who lives in Avon, stands with West Hartford Police Department representatives (from left) Off. Irene Klein, Off. Peter Kisela, Lt. Mike Alquist, and Off. Shane McAvay after dropping off some of her books and dolls. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
