For the third year in a row, emergency professionals in Bradford will work together to brighten Christmas Day for local youth who could use an extra helping hand this holiday season.
The 911 Toy Express, a project of the Bradford City police and fire departments, brings Christmas gifts to students in the Bradford Area School District who have been identified as someone in need.
“They deserve that feel-good moment that other children and other families get on Christmas,” said Sgt. Butch Bartlett, a member of the Bradford City Police Department. “Everyone does.”
Lt. Cathy Mealy, of the Bradford City fire department, spearheads part of the project of collecting toys throughout the community. And, in addition to the toy collection itself, Mealy said the project includes fundraising events to add to the gift items.
“After we get all of the toys collected, we use the finances to make up the difference for what toys we didn’t get, so that everyone can get something that fits their needs,” Mealy described. “We then deliver the gifts to the families of the children so that they have something to put under their Christmas tree on Christmas morning.”
One fundraiser they’ve held for the past three years to aid in the program is by having police officers and firefighters volunteer to bag groceries at Save-A-Lot and carry them to shoppers’ cars in exchange for donations.
“We held our annual “Save A Lot and Share A Little” fundraiser at Save-A-Lot on Nov. 19, where we were able to raise $1,200 for additional toys and gift items this Christmas,” Mealy said.
“A lot of people have good hearts and want to donate,” Bartlett added, and this event offers the officers and firefighters a way to “give back” to the community. “The whole project is about giving back,” he stated.
Officers and firefighters will distribute the gifts to the names of families they identify as “needing help” a few days before Christmas. In the meantime, toys will be collected for the 911 Toy Express program all the way up until Dec. 18.
“Last year, we had a lot of additional names added last minute to our list, and we were out on the firetruck and in off-duty officers’ cars delivering the gifts on Christmas Eve,” Mealy explained. “For that reason, we’ve worked on streamlining the process this year so that it goes a little bit more smoothly.”
In addition to the department’s firefighters, Police Chief Chris Lucco and his department have been instrumental in organizing the list of names on the list of recipients for the gifts, Mealy continued. He, and many other officers and firefighters involved, look forward to giving residents a chance to interact with emergency officials and have conversations with them.
“There are a lot of us involved in this,” Bartlett commented, referring to the officers.
The toy drive is different from other similar projects such as The Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund, as there is no application process. Officers and firefighters identify families based on personal need.
“It’s a project that’s really important to all of us because what we do is try and find families that don’t necessarily ask for help, but that could use help, and we try to bring them a little extra Christmas cheer around the holiday season,” according to Bartlett.
“Specifically, it’s for the families that fall between the cracks,” Mealy added.
Families are identified several ways. In addition to police officers and firefighters directly identifying recipients through work, they talk to teachers in the school district and take nominations through Facebook.
“Teachers in the school district have been a valuable resource in identifying students and families in need,” Mealy noted. “We’re working hand in hand with them to make this happen.”
Mealy stated that firefighters and officers are also working with the organizers behind the ELF Fund — getting tips, suggestions and a cooperative dialogue.
“We’re not competing with the ELF Fund at all; rather, we’re coordinating with them more this year so that we can learn from their success, and maybe help out those who may not qualify for the ELF Fund or who didn’t apply in time,” Mealy explained.
And, above all, it is a collective effort among emergency professionals to make the 911 Toy Express project happen, she added. Bradford City police and fire department, together with the help of teachers, schools and businesses, all work toward this initiative to “find those who need it, and give them an extra reason to smile” this holiday season.
“Honestly, the program is growing from year to year, and it’s one of the most wonderful things to bear witness to,” Mealy described. “One little girl who is the daughter of one of our organizers had a birthday party, and asked her guests to each bring a gift — not for her, but to be donated to the 911 Toy Express to help other children who may need them more.”
And that is one of many examples of the wealth of community support this program is seeing, Mealy stated.
“It’s neat to see the community pull together, in all facets,” she said. “People put on a brave face, but you never know what they might be going through. I really believe in this cause. And any time we can invest in our own community and seek to improve the lives of our children is a cause well worth it. The entire program is a reflection of the great fellowship we have here in Bradford.”
Anyone who knows someone that could benefit from the 911 Toy Express can contact the Bradford City police or fire departments, which also serve as the drop-off points for toy donations, or visit their Facebook page for more information.
