Winter Park Police Department is bringing residents and businesses together for another season of giving back with the annual Helping Others Holiday Drive. Now in its seventh year, the program is only part of the department’s year-round community support efforts.
“We typically do several food drives per year, a toy drive around the holiday season, and a school supply drive in the summer leading up to the new school year,” said Lt. Matthew Walker of WPPD Community Services division.
Past community participation has included friendly competitions between schools and businesses to see who can gather the most donations. Lt. Walker said this year’s participation includes collection boxes at local businesses where donations can be dropped off. The holiday drive also accepts necessities including toiletries, everyday items, and non-perishable food items. And this year’s event features a special request.
“This is the first year that bicycles are specifically requested, though they were accepted in prior years,” Lt. Walker said. “This new emphasis was at the suggestion of a local resident who, himself, made a significant donation.”
New bicycles and gift cards for the cash equivalent can be dropped off at Winter Park Police Station, 500 N. Virginia Ave. Donations of used bicycles are being accepted at Play It Again Sports, located at 1425 Tuskawilla Rd. in Winter Springs.
WPPD partners with Winter Park Community Center and the Winter Park Housing Authority to distribute the collected items among the properties within its jurisdiction.
Donations can be brought to the police station lobby, or arrangements can be made for pickups of large donations by calling 407-643-1630 or 407-643-1601. Toy, food, and necessities donations must be received by Sunday, Dec. 15. Bicycle donations must be received by Friday, Dec. 13.