Pinal County Sheriff’s Office seeks donations for Toy Drive

Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez encourages Pinal County residents to contribute to Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Toy Drive. The deadline to donate is Dec. 21.

PCSO is accepting monetary and toy donations for children around the county.

According to PCSO Community Resource Unit Sgt. Stormee Wallace, who has headed the PCSO Toy Drive the past two years, in 2006 the office raised $59,000 that serviced all of Pinal County and a total of 1,674 children.

“This year we are hoping to service pretty close to the same amount of kids,” Sgt. Wallace said.

PCSO accepts monetary donations or new, unwrapped toys, clothes and shoes for its toy drive. Used toys are not accepted.

PCSO’s Victim Services Division works with families throughout the year and identifies families with children who are victims of crimes. This year the division has identified five families to benefit from the toy drive, explained PCSO Administrative Manager Marcia Romano.

Additionally, PCSO works closely with county school districts, which help determine candidates to benefit from the drive through their hot lunch program. School resource officers also help identify candidates.

Those wishing to apply for the toy drive can visit a local Salvation Army to complete an application. Maricopa’s Salvation Army voice mail is (520) 280-8984. Donation inquiries go to Sgt. Wallace at (520) 705-9545.