City of Wilmington News and Information
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
WPD Officers, Clinicians from WPD’s Child Development/Community Policing Unit and Sallie Mae Employees Combine Efforts to Purchase, Wrap, and Deliver Toys for 100 Needy Families
Mayor James M. Baker today helped dispatch a truck full of toys bound for delivery to 100 Wilmington families as part of the Wilmington Police Department’s annual toy drive. Now in its third year, this year’s toy drive was made possible through private donations from police officers; clinicians from WPD’s Child Development/Community Policing (CDCP) Unit (a collaborative program with the State of Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families that combines law enforcement with mental health services to assist children and families exposed to violence); and employees of Sallie Mae Delaware.
Beginning in early December, the WPD asked police officers and CDCP clinicians to recommend economically challenged families with children under the age of 18 who would benefit from the program.
“Because of our department’s community policing philosophy, our police officers get to know the people living in their assigned patrol communities very well,” said Director of Public Safety Jim Mosley. “This includes being able to identify families in need of a little extra help during the holiday season. The same can be said for the clinicians who comprise our Child Development/Community Policing Unit. These mental health professionals work intimately with families affected by violence, and the annual toy drive helps these families with their recovery by bringing them a little holiday cheer.”
Once the list of 100 needy children was complete, the names were then sorted by age and sex and distributed to “Santa’s helpers,”–the bulk of which included employees of Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading saving- and paying-for-college company, which opened a new operation center in Newark in November of 2008. Employees of the WPD also contributed to the toy drive.
“It’s no surprise that many families in Wilmington and the rest of the state are experiencing financial difficulties this Christmas due to our economy,” said Mayor Baker. “During times like these, we are indebted to the generosity of others who can truly help bring a little joy to our youngest citizens during what should be a festive time of year. I thank the employees of Sallie Mae Delaware as well as members of the WPD for demonstrating the true spirit of the holidays.”
The WPD toy drive is not the only effort of its kind in City government; Mayor Baker’s annual toy drive, coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services, purchased more than $14,000 in toys this year for distribution to more than 1,000 Wilmington families via 20 community service agencies.
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