Ithaca College

More than 500 local families are having a happier holiday this year thanks to local law enforcement agencies, including the Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management. The Cops, Kids & Toys program recently delivered gifts to financially disadvantaged Ithaca-area children who otherwise would have to go without.

Started in the early 1980s, Cops, Kids & Toys is a nonprofit organization supported by every law enforcement agency in Tompkins County, along with many local businesses and other volunteers.

Master patrol officer Don Lyke, who serves on the board of directors, says the Office of Public Safety is a strong supporter of the program, with employees volunteering their time to participate in both collecting and distributing the toys.

“There are bins located at agencies as well as businesses throughout the community where donated toys can be dropped off. We also take cash donations so we can buy toys to fill in the gaps where needed for different age groups,” says Lyke. “On December 16, we fanned out across the community to distribute the toys to families that applied for assistance.”

In the photo above, Lyke is shown with students from Dryden Middle School who volunteered to help with the gift shopping.

Monetary contributions are accepted throughout the year. For more information on Cops, Kids & Toys, including how to contribute and how to apply for assistance, visit www.copskidsandtoys.org.