Beatrice Police Union officers putting on 7th annual toy drive

BEATRICE – Members of a local police union will again conduct a holiday campaign to benefit needy children in the area.  Beatrice Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 84 will hold their “Stuff The Cruiser” drive on November 26th, with a police bus stationed at Walmart, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

"We're just looking for either a toy donation or monetary donations so that we can grab a toy and stuff it on the bus, and then if there's monetary donations, we use that to kind of back-fill any age group that we're maybe seeing a little bit less. Or if any of the toys need batteries or things like that, we use those monetary donations to take care of all of that."

Beatrice Police Sergeant Derrick Hosick says police will pair up with the Beatrice YMCA again this year to distribute the donated toys.
Hosick says during the Covid pandemic, the campaign tended to see more monetary donations, but the project has still been successful with people reaching out to police this time of year, to see how they can help out.

"It's really just become kind of a staple in the community, not only for just the idea of helping out, but also it's become a thing for parents to be able to show their kids the importance of giving back and donating...maybe separating with that one toy that they've picked out before they get to donate it to the police department."

During this time of high inflation, some families might not be able to afford holiday gifts for their kids as much as they could in the past.  "I think the whole concept of giving back to your community and helping those in need is important, regardless. But, when you add in things like inflation and the cost increase on everything...that trickles down into the fun items. When you've got to make sure you've got the bills paid, sometimes some of the kids needing Christmas toys may not get as many just because there's not enough money to go around."

The police will have their mobile command bus at Walmart on November 26th, from 8 until 5, for toys or cash donations. The date to deliver the toys will be set later.