Police officers in Godley, Texas, have come up with an innovative and inspirational way to give back this holiday season.
Rather than doling out large fines for small driving infractions, the Godley Police Department has decided to suspended traditional citations and is, instead, handing out warning “tickets” that encourage people to donate toys for underprivileged kids, as The Huffington Post reported.
So, the cops in Godley — arguably an ironic name for a city, considering this kind and caring act — are abandoning their typical ticketing system to, instead, urge people to be generous and giving.
Here’s how it works: Paper tickets that are doled out note which minor driving offense a person is guilty of, and then explain what the Godley Police Department is hoping to accomplish this Christmas season.
“In the spirit of the holidays, we are waiving the issuance of a citation in hopes that you will drop off an unwrapped toy to our Police Department,” that text reads. “All toys will be handed out on Christmas Eve to children in our community that may not otherwise receive them.”
It’s an effort that was announced last month on the Godley Police Department’s Facebook page by newly minted police chief Jason Jordan, who explained that the toy request is “strictly voluntary and not required.”
Jordan said his cops know how difficult this time of year is for so many, and encouraged people to donate to the toy drive.
“We as a department understand the hardship some in our community endure, and the holiday season just compounds on those worries and burdens,” he wrote. “This program is a way for you and us to give back.”
The police department posted an update on Dec. 9, noting that, though the toy drive is going well, the town still needs items for kids between the ages of 13-17 and the elderly, explaining that there are currently limited gifts for these groups.
The drive will continue until the Wednesday before Christmas.
Jordan told The Huffington Post that officers have received about 150 gifts so far, with donations also coming in for the purposes of purchasing additional gifts.
“I decided to do this because we have many families in our community and surrounding county that are financially unable to purchase gifts for their children or would have to choose to pay bills or to buy gifts,” he said.
It’s clearly a bold stand for cops to take during a season when so many are, indeed, in need.
—
Other Must-Read Stories:
– ‘I Don’t Know How I Got Out Alive’: Survivors of Nigerian Roof Collapse Thank God Amid Horror
– Army Vet School Bus Driver Sees Kid in Dire Need, Responds Awesomely