Police department serves community with toy drive

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Police Department looks forward to serving families in need with their annual toy drive again this year.

“We’ve had quite a few people sign up already, and few donations have come in,” Police Chief Lyle Murray said. “

According to Murray, the department has hosted this toy drive for the last 20 years, and for him, “Seeing families that really need and appreciate the help during the holidays makes it worthwhile.”

Generally, the drive acquires a number of gifts for toddlers and younger children, however, Murray finds there are a couple of age groups for which they could use more donations.

“We can always use stuff for older kids,” he said. “We get a lot of stuff for 14 to 17-year-old kids, and those donations are always appreciated, but oftentimes, the older kids get overlooked.”

“Also, we do receive a number of donations for toddlers, but not many gifts for infants,” Murray added.

While he admits infants don’t need a lot, providing for every child in the families is important to the department.

The police department does ask that the generous donations do not include stuffed animals or used toys.

Those wishing to give some holiday cheer can drop unwrapped donations at the Mt. Pleasant Police Department between 8 a.m.-4 p.m., through Dec. 19.

Local families can reach out for assistance or nominate others through Dec. 16 and gifts will be distributed Dec. 22.

The department will need names, ages of kids, phone numbers, and addresses of the families.

As the department has ran this drive for a number of years, eligibility requirements have become more defined.

“We want to make sure we get gifts to as many families as possible,” Murray said.

In order to serve the community well, families receiving donations must not already be working with another agency such as the Fellowship Cup, Community Action, or Toys for Tots.

Additionally, no family may participate two years in a row.

After the selected families receive their gifts Dec. 22, the police department will hold a last-chance donation give away Dec. 23.

Anyone can stop by the Police Department that day and select from remaining donations.

According to Murray, there are commonly a number of stocking stuffers waiting to find a home when they open the last-chance shop.

For questions and additional information contact the Mt. Pleasant Police at 385-1450 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com