Peachtree City Police are undertaking a toy drive this year aimed at providing toys for local needy children.
Police will be stationed at area shopping centers several times in the weeks before Christmas accepting new but unwrapped toys for their “Light Up the Night” campaign. The toys will be distributed to local families identified with the help of local schools and the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services.
The goal at each location is to have the back of a large police truck filled with donated toys, said police Capt. Stan Pye.
At each event, police officers volunteering their time will be on hand with the blue lights flashing on their vehicles to draw attention for the cause. Members of the department’s Community Emergency Response Team will also be on hand to help out.
There will also be a secure lock box at each event for those who would rather donate cash, which will be used to purchase gift cards that will be programmed so they can’t buy alcohol or tobacco products, organizers said.
Toy donations will also be accepted at police headquarters.
Police will be on hand at the Kedron Village shopping center Saturday, Dec. 12 from 2-5 p.m. to collect toys at the shopping center’s Christmas Celebration community event.
Police will announce future toy collection events and locations at a later date. The department’s electronic message board trailer will be used to publicize that information, which will also be made available at www.TheCitizen.com.
All families who will benefit from the program are referred by either local schools or the Department of Family and Children Services. If the family wants, police officers in marked vehicles will make the special delivery … or they can choose to have the gifts wrapped and presented in a low-key manner, organizers said.
