Cops Who Care

SEVERAL EVENTS PLANNED TO COINCIDE WITH ANNUAL HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE BY POLICE

Published on Thursday, November 26, 1992
(c) 1992 The Arizona Republic
Byline: By Diana Balazs, Staff writer

What began as a simple passing of the hat years ago has become a labor of love for a group of northwest Valley police officers.

Cops Who Care, which incorporated in 1982, is again collecting toys to distribute to needy children for Christmas. The group consists of officers from the Wickenburg Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office who either reside or work in the Wickenburg area.

Cops Who Care President Roy Reyer said the organization was founded to fill a void in northwest Maricopa County. Reyer, a lieutenant with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, said programs benefiting needy children existed in Phoenix, but not here. ''We thought, hey, we need to get something for our kids, too. We said: 'Well, let's do it ourselves.' Basically, we starting passing the hat one year and we then went to businesses. It kind of exploded,'' he said.

Last year, the group brought smiles to the faces of 750 children who live in Wickenburg, Wittmann, Aguila, Morristown and other northwest communities. In addition, toys are distributed to children in Congress, Yarnell and other southwest Yavapai County communities. Officers from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office help in distributing toys, Reyer said.

The group sponsors other activities, including an Easter egg hunt and Fourth of July events. In addition, it sends children to summer camp.

The Christmas toy drive, however, is its biggest project. The drive kicks off the day after Thanksgiving with a community Christmas tree program in Wickenburg. Other events include a children's parade Dec. 12 in Wickenburg, and a car show Dec. 13 in Wickenburg, Reyer said. The show is co-sponsored by the Remember When Car Club in Phoenix. About 250 classic vehicles are shown. The participants donate a toy to enter. The event also includes a picnic and a volleyball game between police and the car owners.

The public can donate toys. They must be new and suitable for children from newborn to age 15. They can be brought to the Sheriff's Office District 3 substation at Dysart and Bell roads, or the Sun City or Sun City West Posse headquarters.

Bicycles in good condition also can be dropped off at the District 3 substation, Reyer said. Toys should be donated unwrapped, Reyer said. Volunteers will wrap them. They are distributed a few days before Christmas.

Further information can be obtained by calling the Wickenburg Police Department at 684-3152.