It was a festive evening at the station Thursday night as the Police Auxiliary began to wrap the many toys donated by the community as part of the Cops for Kids program.
Patch stopped by to check out the scene as volunteers gabbed happily over streams of ribbon, wrapping paper and tape. We even wrapped a few presents ourselves.
The toys will be given to eligible children the Auxiliary has identified through an application process that involves assistance from the Enumclaw School District and Kiwanis Food Bank, which help to find families based on who is receiving free and reduced lunches in school.
The families who submit applications have the option to either attend a Santa Party where they can collect their gift(s), or they can have them delivered to them by police officers and volunteers.
This year's Santa Party is on Saturday, December 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Danish Hall. The delivery date is set for Wednesday, December 21.
Meanwhile, the volunteers' wrapping is hardly done. Friday (today) morning, at about 9:30 a.m., students from will be walking over to the police station to hand-deliver presents they purchased at Target Thursday using money they raised by making and selling crafts.
According to Officer Dusty Lobdell, who accompanied the kids on their shopping trip, they're expected to bring in about $1,500 worth of gifts.
And it's not too late for you to donate an item or two as well. There are boxes located in various stores downtown that continue to collect items, or you can drop off your donation at the police station.
While it's easy to buy toys to satisfy little ones, organizers have said it's more difficult meeting the needs of teens, but they recommend an easy item would be, for example, a $25 gift certificate to Target.
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