Annual Woonsocket Police Toy Drive Taking Donations

If you've the good fortune to have a little extra to spread around this Christmas, the Woonsocket Police Department could use your help getting toys to some local families.

The department's annual toy drive is back in action this year, and they're accepting new toy and cash donations during the week at the department's headquarters at 242 Clinton St.

Tomorrow, the department will accept donations at Stage Right Studio, 68 South Main St., between noon and 4 p.m. 

Woonsocket Police Information Officer Jamie Paone said the department collects toys for struggling families each year. Many people in the community call the department during the year to add families in need to the holiday gift list, Paone said. Many people also call in during the year to offer donations.

On Dec. 9, the Auger family will host another toy drive for the cause from 4 to 7 p.m.  at their home, 329 Wood Ave. The Augers have hosted a toy drive for the last few years in memory of their son, Ron Auger, a dispatcher for the police department until his unfortunate passing in 2009.

“Ron was a big supporter of the program and looked forward to it each year,” said Jeanne Auger in 2011.

Last year, the Augers' drive collected enough toys to fill two and a half pick-ups. Once this year's toys are collected they'll be sorted, bagged and labeled. The families will then be called and invited to the station to pick up their bag of toys. 

Woonsocket Police Sgt. John Scully runs the program. He can be reached either through the department's main phone line, 401-766-1212, or directly at 401-767-8857.