Toys For All The Girls And Boys

On Monday afternoon, the community room at the Madison Police Department looked a lot like a toy store.

And that was by design.

Records Specialist Valerie Soule and Executive Assistant to the Chief Christie Hodge said that later this week, families in town undergoing hard times will be able to come in and select toys for their children. The families are working with Madison Youth & Family Services to receive a range of assistance, and this is just one of the programs offered by the town and supported by volunteers. 

Famlies needing assistance during the holiday season, or any time of year, can find out how to obtain it by calling Madison Youth & Family Services at (203) 245-5645.

Soule and Hodge said Monday that people in town, and the town's businesses were once again extraordinarily generous. Stop & Shop, for example, waived the activation fee for $25 Visa cards that will be given to older children. That saved the toy giveaway program $80, they said.

The police department at this point probably has all of the toys it needs for the town's children, Soule and Hodge said, but donations of food are still welcome. That food will be delivered as part of Christmas and holiday baskets on Dec. 17, and the rest will go to the local food pantry, they said.

Donations can be dropped off at the police station, on Campus Drive off of Duck Hole Road, just north of the Hammonasset Connector, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.