For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

*Media Advisory* Methuen Police to Donate More Than 600 Toys to Local Charity

METHUEN – Mayor Stephen N. Zanni and Police Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce that Methuen police officers, firefighters and city officials will drop off more than 600 gifts to Debbie’s Treasure Chest this weekend as part of their annual toy drive.

WHEN

Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m.

WHERE

Debbie’s Treasure Chest warehouse, 15 Union St., Suite 411, Lawrence

WHAT

Methuen Police and Fire Departments are collecting toys during their third annual toy drive to benefit Debbie’s Treasure Chest, a nonprofit organization founded by children in Lawrence. All toys will be delivered on Saturday, and each child in the program will receive a toy.

“Giving trees,” decorated with star-shaped tags, each holding one child’s wish for a toy, have been set up in the roll call room at the Methuen Police Department, at the Central Fire Station in Methuen, and at Lawrence District Court. Members from both departments and court employees may select a tag, purchase the gift requested and return the unwrapped toy to the giving tree. Methuen High School students are also collecting toys for the drive through their “Winter Wonderland of Giving.”

Last year, the police department’s toy drive fulfilled more than 300 wishes to children in Methuen and across Merrimack Valley.

“This year’s toy drive is an all-out effort from multiple different departments and agencies in Methuen,” Mayor Zanni said. “I am pleased by the strong turnout for such an impactful organization, and encourage residents to donate to our cause this week.”

Residents who wish to participate in the toy drive can drop off new, unwrapped toys to the following locations through Dec. 23:

• Methuen City Hall – 41 Pleasant St.
• Methuen Police Department – 90 Hampshire St.
• Methuen Senior Center – 77 Lowell St.
• The Savings Bank – 17 Burnham Road, Methuen
• Renaissance Salon – 184 Pleasant Valley St. Unit #2, Methuen
• Monte Carlo Salon – 369 Merrimack St., Methuen
• Sports Clips Haircuts – 35 Independence Way, Danvers and Pentucket Shopping Center, 58 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, N.H.

Toys collected by the public will go toward requests received by Debbie’s Treasure Chest between Dec. 10 and Christmas Day.

“The collaboration between town departments goes to show how big of an impact this fundraiser has made in past years,” Chief Solomon said. “I look forward to surpassing last year’s success and providing even more children with some joy this holiday season.”

About Debbie’s Treasure Chest:

Debbie’s Treasure Chest is a nonprofit organization based in Lawrence. The group 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.

The organization helps children at risk through cash, donations and assistance from volunteers. One hundred percent of donations are used to improve the lives of as many children as possible by providing them with basic necessities. To learn more about Debbie’s Treasure Chest, visit their website at www.debbiestreasurechest.org/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Debbies-Treasure-Chest-98824641050/.

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