SBPD holds first annual toy drive

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX toy-drive_5
Staff Writer
Reporter@sbnewspaper.com

T’was the day before Christmas Eve, and the San Benito Police Department hosted their inaugural toy drive, where hundreds of children and their families lined up to receive a brand new Christmas gift.

Members of the community were invited to show up at the police department by noon on Tuesday, where one ticket was given for each child. Children could then take their tickets up to a volunteer, where a new toy or gift was provided.

The toys were donated by a local elementary school and several local businesses; funds were also collected in the form of monetary donations made directly to the SBPD. All monies were used to purchase additional toys. K-9 Detective Carlos Romero, who spearhead the event, said that every dime and dollar collected was expressly used to purchase toys for the kids.

If the child shows up,” said Romero on Tuesday, “they are gonna get a toy. Everyone is at least going to get something.”

Romero praised his colleagues within the police department for allowing the event to transpire. He specifically attributed the event’s success to Chief of Operations Martin Morales, Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Galvan, Assistant City Manager Art Rodriguez and fellow officers and their families. “Everyone helped, did their part. The event was a group effort.”

Romero said SBPD is planning to make the event annual. He is reportedly already looking forward to it. “If we had 1this kind of turnout (this year), I can only imagine what it will be like next year.”

A reported 1,000 toys were distributed on Tuesday by SBPD officers and their families, as well as law enforcement students from the San Benito High School Criminal Justice program.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/12/26/sbpd-holds-first-annual-toy-drive/

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