MPD hosts Toys for Tots drive

The Mamou Police Department is hosting a Toys For Tots drive now through the week of Christmas.
Captain Stephanie Ortego said, “This program is great to help people in need. We have many needy families in the parish.”
Applications for the program as well as toy donation boxes are located at LaHaye Clinic in Vidrine, the elementary and high school in Mamou and
Krazy Cajun restaurant in Mamou.
Applications for those in need of toys are due by November 28, and applicants must live in the parish and receive assistance from at least one agency including Social Security, unemployment, food stamps, medical card, SSI/Welfare, alimony or child support.
“Normally we get between 50 to 100 applications, and we’ve been participating in the program for more than 10 years,” Ortego said.
Ortego said she will call families to let them know their toys are ready to be picked up before Christmas. For more information, contact Ortego at 468-5221.
The drive is to collect new, unwrapped toys for children ages 12 and under.
“We had a good turnout last year with donations, but I know this year a lot of people are hurting from the flooding in August,” Ortego said.
She continued “We get plenty of items for infants and such, but there is a definite need for toys for girls age 10 to 12. We sometimes get items like blow dryers, make up and press-on nails.
In addition to toys, the program also accepts monetary donations to purchase more toys. Ortego said they usually receive about $500 in monetary donations during the drive.
The department will host several events between now and Christmas to help collect toys and funds.
The first fundraiser will be a Thanksgiving dinner at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22 at the Crawfish Barn. Costumed characters including Mickey Mouse and friends will be at the event for children to take photos and participate in activities with. The entrance fee for the event is a $5 donation or the donation of a toy. The event is sponsored by the department and the Crawfish Barn. Other fundraisers will be announced later.
The Toys for Tots program is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks. As of 2013, the Program and its foundation have collected and distributed more than 469 million toys.
Ortego said that it was a Marine who worked at the department that introduced the law enforcement office to the program.
“Brian Ardoin worked here — I think he may be a state trooper now — and he was in the Marines,” Ortego said. “He got us involved in the program.”
Ortego also recognized Chief Brent Zackery and Assistant Chief Phyllis Soileau for their work with the program.
“They both do a lot to help with the drive,” Ortego said. “Without the Chief’s permission, this event would not happen.”