“Toy Drive for Underprivileged Children Gets Jump Start at Sunny Serenade…”
By Chief Fred Maas

“Oktoberfest” may have been the theme, but Holiday and Christmas Season Greetings were in the air on Wednesday evening, October 18, for the monthly Sunny Serenade Concert! Why?

Well, thanks to the ingenuity of the City Commission and the benevolence and good will of the Cultural and Human Services Division, led by Susan Simpson and Staff, the police department was able to “kick off” or get “jump started” with our annual

“Cops and Commissioners for Kids” toy drive to benefit the less fortunate and underprivileged during the Holiday Season.

This year’s program coordinator Officer Melissa Montesino arranged to have a decorated drop box on the stage and allow the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Commissioners and City Manager to ceremoniously drop the first toys into the collection box. These special boxes will be placed at various locations throughout the city, including businesses such as Walgreens’ and Navarro’s; condominium such as Ocean One and of course the City Government Center on the main lobby floor and the police department’s 2nd floor. Why all the fuss?

Because this is our 7th year of helping the less fortunate. Every year there are needy children of families who would not have a Holiday Season if it were not for our program. During the year we identify families and children’s programs that truly need our help.

Last year, the City Commission volunteered to join our efforts in the hopes of doubling our goals and benefits. When Mayor Edelcup called and asked me if we could use their support and help, I jumped at the offer. In the end, we doubled our collection, our gifts, our efforts and the number of kids whom we put a smile on their face by putting a gift in their hands. And for many it was the only gifts they received. That is unacceptable. Every child should have the benefit of growing up as a child, enjoying what the Holiday Season has to offer.

We cannot do it alone. We need you. Sunny Isles Beach is truly blessed with some of the most incredibly generous and good hearted people I have ever met in my life. They are why our charitable programs are a success. Our officers will do all the work. They’ll collect, they’ll wrap, they’ll deliver. All we need is your gift and your heart. If you want to donate money instead so that special request gifts can be purchased that is fine also.

How about you? Will you help put a smile on a child’s face this year? I can tell you first hand, there is no greater feeling in the world than to witness that. Come join our team by contacting anyone below:

In closing, may you each be blessed this Holiday Season with an abundance of goodness and goodwill. God Bless you and us and America!!

Your Chief

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