By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald
The Bonney Lake Police Department's 16th annual Giving Tree toys program was again successful.
The department collects toys and other presents for children in need around the area.
According to Barb Wigton, a department employee who has organized the toy drive for the last 16 years, the department gave toys to nearly 400 children this year.
Along with the toy drive the department collected food for seniors that need assistance through the holidays. Wigton said a large amount of food was collected for the senior food drive again this year through the effort of citizens, schools and local businesses.
The toy and food drive was started after Thanksgiving and continued through Dec. 18.
The department, along with the local Target store, also helped a family, who lost their home to fire, have a brighter Christmas.
Lori Duckworth and her daughters, 5-year-old Autumn and Wynter, 2, were living in an apartment at 8609 Locust Ave. Oct. 30 when an early morning fire destroyed the building.
Duckworth and her daughters were not injured in the fire, but they lost their possessions.
Bonney Lake Police Officer Tony Rice found out about Duckworth's situation through the staff at Bonney Lake Elementary School.
The department and Target gave Duckworth gift cards to spend in Target for Christmas.
“I'm extremely proud of our people who work in the police department,” Chief Mike Mitchell said. “They do a lot to give back to the community. This was a way to help and make a family's Christmas better.”
Duckworth said she has been able to find another residence in Bonney Lake.
“People at my dad's work helped us with furniture,” Duckworth said. “And these (gift cards) really help us.”
Devin Craig, Target's executive team leader, said the Tacoma store adopts families and the Bonney Lake Target hopes “to help more families in the future. This year we wanted to reach out to the community and this is a good example of a way we can help.”
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com..
