What started nearly 40 years ago as an effort by two Ithaca Police Department officers to bring holiday joy to a few area children has become Cops, Kids & Toys, an effort supported with volunteers from every law enforcement agency in Tompkins County, including Cornell University Police.
The program provides toys for families in need during the holiday season; members of the Cornell community can donate new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 9 in bins at Barton Hall, Olin Hall and the Biotechnology Building. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Last year, the program served more than 700 families and a total of more than 1,500 children. It is active year-round through fundraising efforts such as bottle and can collection at the summer GrassRoots Festival in Trumansburg, and by helping at the annual Cornell Dump and Run sale, proceeds of which benefit Cops, Kids & Toys, among other organizations.
Visit the Cops, Kids & Toys website to learn more or to make a monetary donation.
– Tom Fleischman
