The three emergency personal services conjoined efforts on Dec. 1 to collect donations for Toys for Tots and sell Christmas trees.
The Berlin Borough Police Department started collecting donations for Toys for Toys four years ago, but this is the first year the police department, the Berlin Fire Company and the Berlin EMS have combined efforts to take donations on one night. All three emergency personnel services were together at the Berlin Fire Company on Dec. 1, collecting toys and selling Christmas trees.
“Being in a small town, I think we should reap the benefits of having a tight community,” said Patrolman Jason Miller, who is in charge of the Community Policing Unit. “It’s all about taking care of each other, and I think it starts in every town. Getting back to our roots of being a community, it’s important to build that community bond.”
Toys for Tots was started by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and distributes all the new, unwrapped toys collected to less fortunate children. Its goal is to “deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to those children and assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.”
Berlin Borough resident Bill Bansch was the first to donate toys and said it’s crucial for the community to help those in need.
“I think it’s very important that the community gets involved in these types of fundraising drives because there’s people in life that aren’t as fortunate,” he said. “Whenever we can as a community reach out and help those in need, I think it’s a great thing and it’s the holiday spirit. You do what you can for people when you have the ability to do it.”
Donations are being accepted until Dec. 23. You may drop off toys at the Berlin Fire Company during the following times: Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The fire company is located at 221 S. White Horse Pike. The Berlin Police Department, located at 59 S. White Horse Pike, will be accepting donations through Dec. 23 as well. If you have any questions, contact Miller at jmiller@berlinpolice.net or firefighter Rushi Pandya at Rpandya@bfc211.org.
