KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department said Monday the community could stop by the newly-built Public Safety Complex to donate new toys and help make sure children across the area have a gift to open over the holidays.
The police department said its Investigations Bureau partnered with the Knoxville Toys for Tots program. As part of the partnership, people can stop by the Public Safety Complex at 1650 Huron Street to give donations of new, unwrapped toys.
Anyone who wants to make a donation can put it in a donation box during business hours — from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. KPD said it would continue collecting toys until Dec. 11.
Knoxville Toys for Tots is part of the national Marine Corps. Reserve Toys for Tots program. The program gives children who are facing unique challenges, whether from their families or from other circumstances, a gift to open during the holidays. Most local campaigns give gifts to children up to 12 years old, but some provide gifts to kids up to 16 years old.
In Knoxville, the program distributed 45,508 toys in 2022 and helped 4,376 children.
The KPD drop-point for toy donations is located near the municipal court, according to an image shared by the police department. People can also donate money online, or donate a toy through the program's website. Families or children who want to participate in the program can also request a toy online.