The Newton Police Department is seeking help in giving back to the community this holiday season in the form of collecting toys for needy families and providing fruit baskets to area nursing homes.
In an effort to provide toys for less fortunate families this Christmas, the NPD is holding a toy drive where the community is asked to donate toys for ages 0-teens, for both boys and girls.
“There are families out there that fall short of being able to get their kids anything for Christmas,” said police chief McKenzie Patrick. “And as the chief of this town, one of my goals is to try to help families that are in need.”
Another initiative to give back to the community is to give out fruit baskets to senior citizens hat reside in the city’s nursing homes. According to Patrick, he wants to ensure that these residents are included in this season of giving.
“Often elders that are placed in nursing homes are unfortunately forgotten, but I want to make it the police department’s business that those elders know that there are people out there thinking about them,” said Patrick.
For both efforts to provide a little joy for Christmas, Patrick said that any donations from the community would be appreciated.
“Any help in the community that will collaborate with the Newton Police Department to bring the community engagement together, we’ll gladly accept,” said Patrick. “We would be glad to have our community to be a part of this.”
If you are interested in donating to the police department’s season of giving, gifts and/or donations can be dropped off at the Newton Police Department, located at 103 Banks Street between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Deadline for accepting gifts and donations is Dec. 23.
