"Stuff a Cruiser" at the Enfield Mall Collects Toys for the Needy

For over 50 years, the Enfield Police Department has sponsored the Toys for Joy program collecting financial donations and toys to be used as gifts for needy children. As part of the program, for the next two weekends, the "Stuff a Cruiser" event will take place in front of Target at the Enfield Square Mall.

For the second year of the event, CREC’s Public Safety Academy is helping by working with the Enfield Police Department.

Last year, 54 high school students from the Public Safety Academy and 12 faculty members contributed over 500 hours to the effort, collecting more than 5,000 toys and $9,000.

Motivated by these outstanding results, the children are hoping to top donations collected last year during this 2011 holiday season.

“There is no better feeling than to speak with some of the recipients of our efforts and receive a firm handshake and a heartfelt thank you” said Ryan Donlon, principal of Public Safety’s Academy.

In addition to the PSA students, Enfield Police Explorers and the Enfield Auxiliary Police will also volunteer their time to the program. All proceeds go to needy families within the Town of Enfield.

"Let's face it, times are even worse than they were before and there's a lot of needy families out there. What we're trying to do is help people who can't afford to buy Christmas presents for the kids," said Lt. Willie Pedemonti of the Enfield Police Department.

Students, faculty and representatives from the Enfield Police Department will be gathering money and toys during two weekends in December at the Enfield Square Mall starting Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Donations benefit the Enfield Police Department’s “Toys for Joy” program.

Gifts and monetary donations will also be accepted anytime at the Enfield Police Department 293 Elm Street Enfield, CT06082.