Working with Columbus Division of Police, we have something really special planned for the citizens of Columbus this Christmas Day. We're going to give officers who are on duty gifts they can hand out to people they meet. It could be someone they see pumping gas, a homeless person at a park, a person who called the police for help with an issue, or children they see outside playing with their new presents. Whatever the encounter that day, we'd like to help make it a little more special for both the citizens and the officers, and we would love your help.
What can you do? With all shifts of the 20 precincts--and with the K-9 officers also invited to participate--we need donations to help minimize our costs. We estimate each adult gift bag will cost an average of $7, and kids gift bags will cost $3. You can also "adopt" an officer for $90. That will provide 10 adult gift bags and 10 child bags for them to hand out on their shift. Please feel free to send an email for us to pass on to the officer. How much fun will it be for them to read your well wishes on Christmas Day at the start of their shift?
If you're a business owner who's willing to donate items for the gift bags, please contact us at 614-822-6323 or email us. You don't have to donate enough items to fill all the bags. Everything helps! We're looking for items under $10 that are relatively non-perishable. Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, fleece blankets, boxes of chocolates, thick socks, lotion/lip balm sets, first aid kits, bath kits, scented candles, stationery sets, and small tool kits are great examples, but we'd love to hear your suggestions.
If two officers per shift sign up for this project at all of the 20 precincts on both first and second shifts, our goal is $7,500. Obviously this drops dramatically if we can receive donations of items. Starfish is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) with very little overhead, so you can be assured that all of your donations will go to support this project.
Please consider sharing this post so your friends and family who may not know about us can get involved. We're hoping this event spreads holiday cheer across the city and that you're looking forward to it as much as we are.
