Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announced that state, local and federal law enforcement officers are collecting toys, gifts and gift cards for the 2018 Kids, Cops and Christmas campaign.

Colonel Assumpico said the goal is to help make the holiday season a little brighter for deserving children and their families. The program also demonstrates that members of law enforcement are committed to helping the people who live in their communities.

The Rhode Island State Police and Department of Public Safety, Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, Department of Attorney General, United States Attorney’s Office and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are collecting donations of new, unwrapped gifts and gift cards for boys and girls of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. (Gift cards are especially appreciated by teens.) Individual gifts should be valued at $25 or less. Donations from corporate sponsors are also appreciated.

Toys, gifts and gift cards can be brought to the State House Holiday Celebration and Lighting of the Christmas Tree this coming Thursday, November 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., where Rhode Island State Troopers will be on hand to fill a cruiser with donated gifts. Donations also will be accepted at the Rhode Island State Police Barracks in Hope Valley, Lincoln Woods, Scituate and Wickford, as well as at local police departments through Tuesday, December 11, when they will be distributed to social service agencies who represent families throughout the state. These agencies include:

Crossroads Rhode Island

Family Service of R.I.

Children’s Friend

Project Night Vision

Hispanic Ministerial Association of Rhode Island

Multi-Service Center for All

Mount Hope Neighborhood Association

Center for Southeast Asians

African Alliance of Rhode Island

Chad Brown Alumni Association

Colonel Assumpico said all donations are greatly appreciated and she thanked people in advance for their continued support of the Kids, Cops and Christmas campaign.