MONROE, CT — Domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse puts children in a dark place, but those impacted in Fairfield County will have their spirits brightened at Christmastime thanks to the Monroe Police Department’s annual toy drive.
On Saturday, officers collected hundreds of toy donations at the gazebo in front of Monroe Town Hall and delivered the holiday gifts to The Center for Family Justice, which will distribute it to children of the families it serves.
“We are beyond thankful for the incredible Toy Drive organized by the Monroe Police Department this past Saturday, December 10th at the Monroe Gazebo,” Debra Greenwood, president and CEO of CFJ, wrote in an email. “Hundreds of toys were just delivered by the officers and we’re overwhelmed with excitement for our children.”
“As a Monroe resident, I couldn’t feel prouder to live in such a warm, caring and supportive town,” Greenwood said. “Please know how much we appreciate the work each of you do day in and day out.”
She also thanked police in a Facebook post, on behalf of CFJ and its board of directors. In the post, Greenwood expressed her gratitude to all of the individuals, families, residents and civic groups in town who bought toys for the drive.
CFJ serves clients in Monroe, Easton, Trumbull, Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stratford by providing safe houses, 24/7 crisis hotlines, free services and community education. The center works closely with area police departments, social services and the court system.
Saturday marked the Monroe Police Department’s second annual Stuff the Gazebo Toy Drive.
“We have a good relationship with The Center for Family Justice,” Police Chief Keith White said Tuesday. “They have provided our citizens with valuable resources for many years and it’s nice, once a year, for our department to be able to give back to the center.”
Great job, MPD!