Aspinwall's Presents from Police toy drive recipient of hefty donation from Blue Knights
Aspinwall police leadership is thrilled with the recent news of a $1,000 donation to their annual Presents from Police holiday charity outreach.
Aspinwall Police Chief David Nemec and Deputy Chief Michael Vith received a donation check on Wednesday from representatives of the Blue Knights Pa VII Pittsburgh chapter to benefit Presents from Police.
Nemec founded Presents from Police in 2011 with a goal of delivering presents to children in hospitals and unable to be home during the holidays.
“We’ve been getting bigger (donations) every year and this donation is a perfect fit for us because Blue Knights are all retired or current police officers and we have a brotherhood from the get-go,” Nemec said. “This is wonderful.”
The 15th annual Presents from Police collection drive is ongoing.
Distribution dates this year are on Dec. 17, 19 and 23 and will benefit youth at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Sunrise School in Monroeville and the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh.
Retired O’Hara police Chief James Farringer serves as president of the Blue Knights Pa. Chapter VII and lives in Blawnox.
Farringer’s chapter organized a gun raffle this year to raise money for the donation.
“We sold out and had a very good year and it makes you feel good at the end of the day to give back,” Farringer said.
“Every dollar donated brings a smile. It’s hard to put into words to see the children’s faces when they get toys or are able to pick toys out,” Nemec said.
More than 50 state, local and federal agencies are participating in Presents from Police. Last year, more than 52 police volunteers transported all the toys via police cruisers.
People can drop off monetary donations or new, unwrapped gifts at the Aspinwall Borough Building located at 217 Commercial Ave. in Aspinwall.
Gifts will be collected until Dec. 17.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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