WPD's 'Gifts for Children' to reach 300 local kids Friday

Asst. Chief Theodosia Glenn (l) and Lt. Joe Nelson, along with other Washington Police officersand volunteers, helped Santa bring a happy Christmas to some 300 children in Washington.

Washington's police officers are busy helping Santa Claus with the department's annual "Gifts for Children" campaign this Christmas, taking requests and buying gifts for some 300 children in the Washington-Wilkes area.

Police volunteers have been busy buying, organizing, and wrapping the toys to be distributed this week. In years past, Lt. Joe Nelson has single-handedly assembled more than 20 bikes to give Santa a hand, but Asst. Chief Theodosia Glenn said they had close to 40 bikes on the list this year and "Santa was getting them pre-assembled."

Friday morning will be the highlight, Glenn said, "Santa Claus will appear here at the Police Department in person Friday, Decmber 21, from 9 a.m to noon, and he'll be handing out the gifts to all the children who requested them. Don't be late, because Santa will have to leave at 12 noon sharp. He's got a lot of traveling to do."

Each child will get his first choice and a few other toys or clothes, and all will receive candy and have photos made with Santa, 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 cross-checked 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."

Requests this year came from 150 families with some 300 children.

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