On a brisk December morning, as part of the Department's inaugural "Fill the Cruiser" initiative, State Troopers stood outside Toys 'R' Us stores in Auburn, Dedham, Springfield, Kingston and Woburn to ask shoppers to consider donating toys to the United States Marine Corp's annual Toys for Tots drive. Donors placed their toys into the State Police cruisers outside the stores. To say the program achieved its goals is an understatement. No one knew what to expect in this first attempt at this endeavor, but the public's response was overwhelming.
Shelly and Steve Grybowski, along with Colonel McGovern, with Santa and his elf.
Two shoppers, Shelly and Steve Grybowski, felt this was a perfect opportunity to make a significant donation in memory of their daughter Eden. The Grybowskis went into Toys 'R' Us and came out with an IPod, with a full array of accessories, which they placed into the cruiser to brighten another child's Christmas. "This was the perfect gift that we could give our daughter, Eden, who passed away two years ago," they said. "We think she would be very proud."
Robert Contois donated three shopping carts full of toys to Santa and his elf.
Robert Contois had heard about the event on the television news and decided that he would go out that Saturday afternoon and make his annual Toys for Tots donation. Mr. Contois has has been donating to Toys for Tots for years to ensure that deserving kids would have presents to unwrap on Christmas morning. "I think you guys are doing a great thing and I am very happy to donate," Mr. Contois said to troopers at the Auburn Toys 'R' Us. "I just have to go in and get a few things." When he exited the store sometime later with three carts in tow, he brought them over to a cruiser and nearly filled it single-handedly.
Colonel McGovern, Susan and Jason Gregory, Major Baxter, and USMC Sgt Miller.
Susan and Jason Gregory don't have children of their own, but were delighted to make a donation to Troopers at the Toys 'R' Us. When they generously and graciously exited the store with two carriages full of toys, they talked about how happy they were to donate toys to disadvantaged children and thanked the State Police for undertaking the charitable endeavor. "Coming to Toys 'R' Us that day was fun for us," Susan Gregory said. "And we made the special trip just to donate to Toys for Tots. We are fortunate and just wanted to do something nice for others."
Troopers were encouraged to hear how many people had heard of the event through media coverage and only went shopping that day in order to make donations. Many parents said that they had specifically brought their families so that their children could get an understanding of the concept of "giving to others." By having their kids pick toys that they themselves would like to receive and then donate those gifts to children they would never know, many parents used the event to teach their children what Christmas is all about.
Troopers at all locations let many of those kids sit in their cruisers to see a little bit of what it is like to be a Trooper. The constant sounds of sirens and happy kids talking on the cruiser's PA systems filled the parking lots.
Kyleigh Taylor not only got to donate toys, but was treated to a tour of a cruiser as well
Kyleigh Taylor was all smiles to donate toys to other children her age. But when she got a chance to sit in a cruiser and activate the siren, her ear-to-ear grin and laughter made everyone there remember the true spirit of Christmas. After Kyleigh left, Troopers at the post had a renewed sense of what this day - and in a larger sense, the job of a Trooper - was about: Doing something for others whom we would never know and doing deeds for which we'd never be thanked.
In Troop C, Colonel Marian McGovern and Major Sean Baxter spent several hours at the Auburn store helping Troopers Jim O'Neil, Grace Bray, and Andy Cornell assist shoppers as they filled the cruisers with over 750 donated toys. Lt Colonel Dunn made a surprise appearance to donate some toys and Lieutenant James Fogarty escorted Santa and his elf into the parking lot, much to the delight of the kids who were there. In Troop B, Major Barry O'Brien manned a post helping with the donations along with Lieutenant John Healy with Troopers David Paul and Sean Lewis. They were able to gather 250 toys for donation at the Springfield store. Trooper Russ Phippen from Troop A, a former member of the USMC, stood by himself in Woburn and collected more than 1,250 toys. Kerra Huchowski, who works at the Fusion Center and serves as the MSP's statewide Toys for Tots coordinator, brought the cavalry to Trooper Phippen in the form of a van to handle the massive volume of donated toys. After several van loads of toys were brought to the warehouse, Trooper Phippen even stayed late because people were continuing to donate after the event's 4 p.m. closing.
A young donor stands with Two USMC Sergeants, Troopers Mike Lane and Sean Leblanc
In Troop H, Troopers Sean LeBlanc and Mike Lane collected 457 toys at the Dedham store while Sergeant Sean Murphy was able to capture and memorialize the event through photography.
Sergeant Mike Popovics and Trooper Scott Robicheau also pitched in and collected 540 toys at the Kingston store in Troop D. Sergeant Popovics reports that members of the public donated with enthusiasm and commented often that they were happy that the MSP had come to them in order to collect toys. Many people said that the Barracks are often times out of their way and they thought this was a better way for the MSP to collect toys for the USMC.
At several of the locations, Troopers had toys stacked up against the building waiting for transportation to the distribution warehouses. When the day was over, the tally of toy donations came in at over 3,200 - a good day, considering that Troopers only manned each location for four hours. Now that we know what to expect and what logistics we need to have in place, next year's event should go even better. Even more volunteers will be needed next year to assist with transportation of the toys, talking with shoppers to encourage their participation, and showing children their cruisers. Consider volunteering a few hours next season as your way to donate to a child who would otherwise be without a present to open on Christmas day.