LAPD Angels Toy Drive

Today LAPD kicked-off its annual toy and book drive at Ann Street Elementary School.  One hundred and sixty children from kindergarten through the 5th grade received toys handed out by Chief William Bratton and members of the LAPD's Centurion Baseball Team.

As the Holiday season starts, the Department and the communities we serve will once again join forces to donate unwrapped toys and new and gently used books for many of the underprivileged children in Los Angeles.

Chief Bratton announced the kick-off to the fifth annual LAPD Angels Toy Drive.  Members of the community wishing to donate unwrapped toys or books may do so at any of the Department's police stations.  Chief Bratton asks that donated new or gently used books include an inspirational message written on the inside front cover of each book, wishing a child happy holidays and a prosperous new year.

This year, the Memorial Foundation will be donating activity books that teach children important safety and traffic tips.  The back cover of these books has a contract for children and their parents to sign, encouraging the children to keep safe and have respect for the law.

All the Department's police stations will be reaching out to families in need within their communities throughout the City of Los Angeles. Click on the link below for a schedule of events.   

News Release - Chief Bratton Launches LAPD Holiday Toy Drive
Holiday Toy Give-A-Ways - Winter 2006

Comments

[Jennie]

What a great idea for the LAPD to do this. Helps create a positive image of officers for kids and my guess is that it is nice for the officers to get out there and be able to do something fun with the community rather than just going from call to call handling issues.

I would encourage everyone to donate at least one toy or one book to a department. It doesn't seem like much but really if everyone donated just one item, that would be lots of items. I participate in Spark of Love where I live and it is hard getting donations. If we could just get one toy from even just each family in the area we would love it.

My only question is and hopefully someone can answer it, are there any stores or other locations collecting toys for the LAPD? When I visit LA I am always in the Central area but I don't normally travel anywhere near the station on 6th street but my guess is that the kids in that area could really use some toys and would I would like to see a place to drop off something for specifically that area. A box at say the Cathedral, Union Station, or Olvera Street would be great.

[Lt. Paul Vernon]

Jennie:

If you would like to drop off a toy or book at the Parker Center front desk, the officers will get it to Central Station. They are all assigned there.

Parker Center is at 150 N. Los Angeles Street.

Happy Holidays

[Jennie]

Thanks Lt. Vernon.

I must have had one on my usual mental block. I hadn't thought about Parker Center even though I am always near there when I visit the city. I'll swing by on Saturday. Thanks again and happy holidays.