Shelton Police Launch Toy Drive, Prepare For 'Shop With A Cop'

SHELTON, Conn. -- The Shelton Police Department has teamed up for an annual toy drive with Outback Steakhouse and Donut Crazy.

<p>The Shelton Police Department is having its annual toy-collection drive.</p> — The Shelton Police Department is having its annual toy-collection drive.
Photo Credit: *Shelton Police Department*

Donna Christopher

12/06/2016 5:00 a.m.

The department headquarters is one of the drop-off locations, where the donations will be sorted in a roll call room, said police officer John Petrillo.

"School counselors come in and separate the the toys by age. They have a list of families that would appreciate the help during the holidays," he said.

A second initiative for the holidays is when four police officers partner with the Reach Foundation to take kids shopping.

"It's called Shop With a Cop. The officers take the kids and go out for dinner and a photo with Santa, then escort them to Target in Milford, where each kid gets money to shop for themselves and their families," Petrillo said.

For the toy drive, participants are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for distribution to local families in need by Dec. 19 to:

Shelton Police Department, 85 Wheeler St.
Outback Steakhouse, 698 Bridgeport Ave.
Donut Crazy, 785 River Road.

For more information, contact Petrillo at the Shelton Police Department at (203) 924-1544, Ext. 4349 or by e-mail here.

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