Cops for Tots program hoping for help
City of Greer police are skilled at tracking down criminals and putting them behind bars. With this year's Cops for Tots weekend rapidly approaching, GPD is seeking individuals with excessive generosity to help the Christmas program.
“At this time of the year we’re a little more behind than we usually are,” Lt. Jim Holcombe said.
The department accepts donations of toys and money throughout the year in anticipation of the weekend that allows needy children in the Greater Greer Area to choose the only toys they will receive this year. The department also hosts a golf tournament each fall to help raise funds for the program.
GPD annually distributes toys to as many as 500 children, allowing them to select their own gifts from those collected or purchased. While the cops guide the children through the aisles of toys, they readily admit that those who generously support the program are the ones who should be called Santa.
“The police are the face of this, but we depend on the community to support it,” Holcombe said. “People know we can’t do it without them.”
The date circled in red this year is Dec. 16, when collected and purchased toys will be gathered and moved to Greer City Hall for distribution the next day. The number of items each child will receive -- as well as the number of children who will be served by the program -- will be known then.
"Cops for Tots has always been a program built on faith. Residents and businesses have made it that way by supporting the program not only on a regular basis every year, but also when it is most in need to fulfill the mission of providing Christmas gifts for boys and girls who truly appreciate each one," Chief Dan Reynolds said. "The 'thank you' comes when you see the look in their eyes. I wish every donor could experience that and realize the depth of their generosity."
New and unwrapped toys for infants through age 12 will be accepted during regular business hours until Dec. 16 at the City of Greer Police Department lobby located at 102 S. Main Street during regular business hours. Monetary donations are accepted and appreciated because they allow the department to purchase age and gender appropriate toys for groups that are running short.
For more information on Cops for Tots and donation information, call 848-2151
“At this time of the year we’re a little more behind than we usually are,” Lt. Jim Holcombe said.
The department accepts donations of toys and money throughout the year in anticipation of the weekend that allows needy children in the Greater Greer Area to choose the only toys they will receive this year. The department also hosts a golf tournament each fall to help raise funds for the program.
GPD annually distributes toys to as many as 500 children, allowing them to select their own gifts from those collected or purchased. While the cops guide the children through the aisles of toys, they readily admit that those who generously support the program are the ones who should be called Santa.
“The police are the face of this, but we depend on the community to support it,” Holcombe said. “People know we can’t do it without them.”
The date circled in red this year is Dec. 16, when collected and purchased toys will be gathered and moved to Greer City Hall for distribution the next day. The number of items each child will receive -- as well as the number of children who will be served by the program -- will be known then.
"Cops for Tots has always been a program built on faith. Residents and businesses have made it that way by supporting the program not only on a regular basis every year, but also when it is most in need to fulfill the mission of providing Christmas gifts for boys and girls who truly appreciate each one," Chief Dan Reynolds said. "The 'thank you' comes when you see the look in their eyes. I wish every donor could experience that and realize the depth of their generosity."
New and unwrapped toys for infants through age 12 will be accepted during regular business hours until Dec. 16 at the City of Greer Police Department lobby located at 102 S. Main Street during regular business hours. Monetary donations are accepted and appreciated because they allow the department to purchase age and gender appropriate toys for groups that are running short.
For more information on Cops for Tots and donation information, call 848-2151