Explorers hold toy drive
Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena and Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini this week issued an extraordinary plea to Santa Claus.
“Dear Santa,” read the letter to Jolly Old Saint Nick, which Polisena wrote and Tamburini co-signed, “When you begin your worldwide trek on Christmas Eve, we’re hoping you have enough toys for all the wonderful children in our town.”
With that, the mayor and the chief, in partnership with the JPD’s award-winning Explorers Post 405, invited people to make donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for the 2016 “Toys for Kids” holiday drive.
Polisena, Tamburini and Capt. Thomas H. Dolan, who coordinates the Explorers Post 405 with Lt. Steve Guilmette, stress “all of your gifts go directly to boys and girls in Johnston.”
“I’m proud to say that last year over 125 Johnston families benefited from this program,” Tamburini said.
“This year we’re told there’s even a greater need for toys and gift cards to help our needy families.” Dolan added. “Ever since the Explorers Program was founded many years ago in Johnston, the Toys for Kids Drive is something that we all love doing. In year’s past, residents of our great town have shown their love and caring for children in need and have been very generous and we’re hoping that trend continues this year.”
To donate, bring an unwrapped toy, a gift certificate or a gift card to one of the boxes Explorers Post 405 placed in all of Johnston’s public schools or at the Johnston Police Department headquarters off Atwood Avenue or Johnston Senior Center, 12912 Hartford Avenue. Please do not donate stuffed animals.
Dolan, who this past spring was inducted into the Rhode Island Criminal Justice Hall of Fame, said the deadline to donate is Tuesday, December 13. On Thursday, Dec. 15, the Explorers Post 405, whose members range in age from 14 to 20 and who have expressed an interest in pursuing law enforcement as a career, and some of their parents will hold their annual “Toys for Kids Drive Wrapping Party.”
“The gift wrapping event is really something special,” Dolan noted. “I’m not sure who has the most fun out Explorers or the adults. But we always turn the Senior Center into Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. Everyone shows a special kind of love while wrapping each and every gift.”
Earlier in the week, Polisena thanked those who help spread holiday cheer to Johnston families. “Your generosity will be very much appreciated,” he said.
The Toys for Kids Drive Wrapping Party will begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 15 and Dolan said, “We welcome anyone who wants to help and they can also bring along a toy or two if they’d like.”
To recommend a family in need who could use a helping hand from the Explorers and Santa, contact the JPD Captain at 737-3100 ext. 3138. The toy distribution is handled confidentially.
