Community donates 800-900 toys

MONROE-A good number of children and their families in Monroe and in neighboring communities had a more bountiful Christmas, thanks to the generosity of many others. The Monroe Police Department took in between 800 and 900 toys during its annual holiday drive this year. That's nearly three times the number of gifts that have found their way into Police Headquarters on Stage Road and then into the homes of kids who otherwise might have been a little short on Christmas cheer in most years. Between 50 and 60 families from Monroe as well as from Woodbury, Tuxedo, Greenwood Lake and Blooming Grove benefited from the community's largesse. "We filled one of the offices with the toys n there were bikes, skateboards, helmets, games, stuffed animals, electronics, books n it looked liked ‘Toys R' Us,'" said Det. James Frankild. "Next year, we'll have to take a picture." In addition, people also donated a large number of educational items, such as board games that assist youngsters in learning to spell and read. There also were two large monetary donations n one for $200 and another for $100 n that went to single mothers selected by the police to make sure their children had a special Christmas dinner as well as their toys. Frankild expressed the department's gratitude for the community's generosity a number of times during an interview earlier this week. He also noted how relieved a number of the parents were after stopping into police headquarters to select gifts for their sons and daughters. "Several talked about how stressed out they were (at not being able to afford any presents for their children)," the detective said. "One said, ‘I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for this.'" All that's left are one or two stuffed animals, Frankild said. They are a little worn, perhaps because they were someone else's Christmas gift some time ago. It's the thought that counts, though. And there were a good many thoughts counted this holiday down at police headquarters in Monroe.