Last week's meeting included a program by Crete Police officers and Fraternal Order of Police members, Dawn Jonas and Ron Koch, who along with other local law enforcement and first responders, collect toys and donations for Crete' toys for tots giveaway and additional Christmas giving opportunities. 

 

Shay Smith shared a little about Crete's toy giveaway history, which started with several Crete residents fixing toys and dolls and regifting them to children at Christmas time. Crete Sertoma Club got involved, growing the program from about 50 kids. Crete officers and the local agencies joined the program several years ago, and now give multiple toys each to over 400 kids from about 150 local families. FOP members, firefighters, and Saline County deputies now collect toys and donations outside Walmart on Thanksgiving weekend. Families are identified through Crete schools and are invited to the UCC Church on a day in early December to 'shop' from among the donated toys, games, and books.

 

Crete's program has spread throughout Saline County and helped start an additional program in Beatrice. Through generous donations, volunteers have been able to purchase more bikes, clothing, and tablets, which help fill the need for older teens in the program each year.