Sheriff’s Office looking for help in toy drive

If you enter the lobby of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Building in Florence, you’ll notice that it’s decorated with blue garland and sheriff’s stars. The significance? Each star corresponds to a child whose family has expressed a need for assistance with toys this year.

Each star represents children and teens who might not otherwise receive any gifts this holiday season.

With many families facing economic hardships, times can be tight during the holidays. The goal of the Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive is to reach as many Pinal County children and impact the lives of as many Pinal County families as possible. The Sheriff’s Office Community Resource Unit has spent the last few months raising money to purchase toys and is still collecting toys in an effort to brighten local children’s holiday season.

From Dec. 7 to 18, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Stars can be removed from the garland and chosen to be sponsored. Community members and employees can take a tag and drop off the new, unwrapped gift/gifts to the Sheriff’s Office no later than Dec. 21.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Building is located at 971 Jason Lopez Circle in Florence. For those who want to help or have questions, call Lori Schaum at 520-866-5173 or Lt. Tamatha Villar at 520-705-4245.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to help make this season a bit more joyful for families in need by stopping in, picking up a star and sponsoring a child.

File photo