Washington Police Department’s ‘Gifts for Children’ set to help Santa make Christmas better for 250 kids

Asst. Chief Theodosia Glenn and Lt. Joe Nelson help organize and assemble toys for the department’s annual “Gifts for Children” program, preparing for Santa’s big day on Friday from 9 to noon.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Washington Police Department, with toys stacked wall to wall and bikes in boxes waiting for assembly.

The city’s police officers are busy helping Santa with the department’s annual “Gifts for Children” campaign this Christmas, taking requests and buying gifts for some 250 children in the Washington-Wilkes area.

Police volunteers have been busy organizing the toys to be distributed this week, including assembling some 20 bikes for kids who asked for them.

Friday morning will be the highlight, said Asst. Chief Theodosia Glenn, “Santa Claus will appear here at the Police Department in person Friday, Dec. 22, from 9 to noon, and he’ll be handing out the gifts to all the children who requested them. Don’t be late, because Santa have to leave at 12 noon sharp. He’s got a lot of traveling to do.”

Each child will get their first choice and a few other toys or clothes, and they’ll receive candy and have their photos made with Santa, Capt. Glenn said.

The annual “Gifts for Children” campaign has been made possible by donations of toys, gifts, and money over the past few months. “We’ve gotten great help from people in the community, from civic organizations, from local merchants, and from individuals,” Capt. Glenn said. “We sure couldn’t have done this without everybody’s help.”

Over the past months, parents gave their requests to the Washington Police Department to get gifts for children who might not be remembered at Christmas. Although

first priority went to children living inside the city of Washington, requests coming from outside Washington were also considered if possible. The requests are crosschecked with other organizations such as Angel Tree to prevent duplication, and to reach every child possible.

Also over the last few weeks, groups and individuals have made donations of toys, gifts, and money, Glenn said. “We’ve had great support from businesses, churches, civic groups, local merchants, and individuals. People have been very generous this year, and we appreciate it so much.”

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