Members of the Methuen High School boys varsity hockey team.
A “giving tree” toy drive by the Methuen Police Department received some help this week from the Methuen High School boys varsity hockey team.
The team stopped by the Methuen police station Monday to deliver toys donated by players and coaches, according to a statement Wednesday. Earlier, Methuen High hockey player Brent Blackwell contacted Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon and asked if the team could help with the giving tree. Each player along with the coaches selected a star and purchased a toy.
“Chief Solomon thanked them for helping to grant many wishes for children who would otherwise not receive a present for the holidays,” a spokesperson said. “Brett also expressed interest in maybe having their own giving tree for the Methuen High School winter sports teams.”
The Methuen Police and Fire Departments have collected more than 300 toys through the 2nd Annual Toy Drive benefiting Debbie’s Treasure Chest, a non-profit organization founded by children in Lawrence. They will be delivered at 10 a.m., Saturday, to the organization’s warehouse, 15 Union St, Suite 411, Lawrence.
“The success of this toy drive has been outstanding,” Solomon said. “Along with donations from the fire department, we have doubled our donations from last year. It is tremendously rewarding to see the two departments get together for such a wonderful cause, especially during the holiday season.”
The toy donations come on the heels of the recent donation of $3,400 from the Methuen Police Department and Methuen Police Patrolman’s Union’s “no-shave November” fundraiser. That effort, to benefit “Cops for Kids With Cancer,” was the result of at least 24 officers who donated $1,700 to grow their facial hair during November. Each donation by the department was matched by the patrolman’s union.
Debbie’s Treasure Chest was founded by three children and works with social service agencies across the Merrimack Valley to deliver school supplies, clothing and toys to children in need, according to a statement.