BANGOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) - The Bangor Police Department got into the holiday spirit on Friday. Officers collected toys outside of the Walmart of Stillwater, Ave in Bangor for their annual toy drive. All toys will be donated to the salvation army.
“There is a need. The salvation army will get all of the toys that we collect and will put them in the hands of the people that need them the most,” said Sgt. Wade Betters of the Bangor Police Department.
Last year during their toy drive, the Bangor PD had over 500 toys donated. This year they hope to top that, and fill their police transport van once again. According to Sgt. Betters, the Salvation Army has had a lack of donated gifts for teens, so having those gifts donated was an important part of Fridays drive.
Some Bangor residents were not able to make it the drive today, but donated anyway. “This is a very giving community, and we’ve had a lot of people reach out to us on our Facebook page,” said Sgt. Betters. “Some people have actually sent gifts. They’ve bought those gifts and had then shipped to the police department, just for this toy drive.”
More toy drive’s will be held throughout Maine over the weekend. On Saturday the 8th, the South Portland Police Department will hold their annual toy drive. Gifts can be brought, unwrapped, to Evelyn’s Tavern on Sawyer Street for a toy drive party starting at 6:00pm.