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UMMS police department members pictured at the Dec. 1 toy drive are (from left) Sgt. Nikkya Jackson, Officer Mariano Conte, Sgt. Christopher Alting and Officer David Cerreto. |
Now in its third year, the UMass Medical School Department of Public Safety’s annual Christmas toy drive netted a record number of toys and gift certificates from generous shoppers at a collection held Saturday, Dec. 1, at Walmart in Northborough. Led by Deputy Chief of Police C. Leon Pierce, officers packed 10 cruisers with toys for children in the care of the Worcester-area Department of Children and Families.
“It was our best one-day effort thus far. People were very generous,” said Pierce. “It is heartwarming to see little kids bring us gifts for other little kids while people share their personal experiences of why they are thankful for our efforts.”
Pierce noted that some shoppers emptied carts full of gifts that cost $20 or more per item. Walmart also donated two battery-operated cars.
Members of the UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center communities can still donate by dropping off new, unwrapped toys at the Department of Public Safety located on the first floor of the South Street visitor garage.
Related story on UMassMedNow:
C. Leon Pierce sworn in as deputy director of public safety for UMass Medical School
