Stuff a Cruiser: 1,450 Toys and $1,020 Donated to Children's Hospital

On behalf of the Avon Police Association, D.A.R.E. Officer Todd Akerley would like to thank the community for their outpouring and generous support this holiday season. On Nov. 25 and Dec. 10, 2011, Officer Akerley and members of the Avon Police Association stood out in front of Walmart, 255 West Main St., Avon collecting donations for Stuff a Cruiser.

“This was our 11th Annual Stuff a Cruiser to benefit the children being cared for at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford," Akerley reported in a press release. “1,450 toys were collected and $1,020.00 in cash was donated.... With the money donated, we put it back into the community and purchased items at Walmart that the Children’s Hospital says they need and are often overlooked."

On Dec. 14, 2011, a box truck with all of the items was brought to the children’s hospital. Officers along with members of the association went to the floors and handed out the gifts to the children. 

“When we brought the toys to the hospital, seeing the smiles on kid’s faces along with the sincere appreciation of the parents and staff makes it all worth while,” Akerley said. “The generosity of people during these times was simply amazing and this all wouldn’t be possible without them!”

This event could not have been possible without the following businesses that helped out, Walmart and The Cupcake Brake who donated 10 percent of their proceeds to the children's medical center.

This press release was submitted to Avon Patch by Avon Police Department Officer Todd Akerley.