Monroe makes a holiday

Village Merchant Association, Ladies Auxiliary also lending a hand in Monroe Police toy drive Monroe - People already have contributed several dozen gifts in the Monroe Police Department’s 10th annual toy drive, with more items coming into the station house each day. Det. James Frankild also said the department has received calls from people in need, asking to be placed the list that will match their children with age-appropriate toys. Last year, Monroe Police distributed more than 800 gifts to people in the greater Monroe area who might have been down on their luck. Community residents also donated money, which provided for an extra meal at the holidays for several families. Meanwhile, the Village of Monroe Merchants Association as well as the Monroe Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary are lending their hands. The merchants are posting signs in their businesses, alerting people who are looking to donate as well as those people in need where to go. Frankild noted that most of the people who participate in the program shop locally, so the merchants association is a great conduit for getting out the word. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary also are collecting toys. Some also have volunteered to help wrap gifts or to be at the police headquarters to help people get gifts out to their vehicles. This coming week, Frankild said, officers will begin calling people who have requested some holiday assistance, telling them to pick up gifts. The program continues through Christmas Eve. People who need gifts for their children may call the department at 782-8644.