The Franklin Police Department is proud to announce that its annual holiday toy drive will start next week.
Beginning Tuesday, November 12, community members can drop off new, unwrapped toys for children and teenagers at the department’s headquarters (900 Columbia Ave.). The initiative will conclude on Friday, December 20.
“Each present will be delivered to Franklin families who may need some extra holiday cheer,” said Police Chief Deb Faulkner. “When I think about the thousands of toys our residents have donated since 2016, and the joy it brings to everyone, the feelings are indescribable.”
In its ninth year, the toy drive pays homage to Kristi Clark and her son, 10-year-old son, Carter Oakley. The two were hit and killed by a semitruck along I-65 in February 2015 after they got out of their vehicle to help five people in an overturned SUV. To honor their memories, Kristi’s father, Brad Lewis, has built dozens of wooden toy chests throughout the years, ultimately donating them to the Franklin Police Department to use for the toy drive.
“I feel very proud,” said Lewis. “The pain is still there, but creating these toy chests has become therapy for me. “I cannot thank the community and the Franklin Police Department enough for supporting this initiative. Kristi and Carter gave their lives by helping others, therefore I know they would have loved this cause.”
Toys can be dropped off Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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