Hickory Police Department's Cops for Tots Wish House will be open Dec. 14-16

By: Sarah Newell williamson | Hickory Daily Record
Published: November 23, 2009

Hickory --

A truck was loaded with boxes of baby dolls, light-up toys, train sets, wrestling action figures and dozens of other toys Monday.

Members of the Hickory Police Department went shopping for toys for the Cops for Tots Wish House, which will be open Dec. 14 through 16. The program, which is funded by donations, has been in operation since 1983.

Last year, the Hickory Police Department spent $10,000 on toys for the approximately 2,400 children who received gifts through Cops for Tots.

"This is our contribution, and our way to give back," said Sgt. Ericka Heath.

As they selected the toys, they tried to pick out things children are interested in, and some of the latest items, she said.

The Cops for Tots program provides toys for children from birth through age 16. Heath said they usually try to pick out electronics, like mp3 players, for the older teens.

Carmike Cinemas also has donated gift cards this year to use for DVDs and CDs for the older children, said Sgt. Keith Yoder.

Heath and Libby Grigg, who started the Wish House, bought several shopping carts' worth of toys Monday. As they picked through the aisles, they giggled like children when they found something they liked.

Heath picked up a monster truck that revved its engine and had working lights.

"The bigger the better," she said.

After the two finished shopping, spending about $3,000 on Monday, they sorted their purchases by age categories, so it will be less work when the Wish House is actually set up. They'll shop for more toys today.

Yoder anticipates the Wish House will see more demand this year than in years past because of the economy. New restrictions will be in place this year because of it.

"In the past, we've never turned anyone away," he said. "We've had people come from Charlotte and even Tennessee before."

He said he didn't think that would be possible this year. The Wish House will only be open to Catawba County residents. In addition, if the Christmas Bureau is serving a family, the family cannot come to the Wish House.

"That way, we can serve two families in the area, instead of the same family getting served twice," Yoder said.

To participate in the Wish House, you must be a parent or guardian of the participating children, and you must bring a photo ID of yourself and the birth certificate or Medicaid card for each child. Proof of residency must also be presented. Social Security cards will not be accepted. Children are not allowed inside the Wish House.

The Christmas Wish House will be in the Winkler Park Activity Center on Clement Boulevard beside L.P. Franz Stadium. The Wish House will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m.

Donations can be mailed to:

Cops for Tots, Hickory Police Department, 347 Second Ave., SW, Hickory, N.C. 28602.

Checks should be made payable to Cops for Tots.

Boxes for collection of new or slightly used toys are at the following locations:

• Hickory Police Department

• Grandview and Northview middle schools

• Jenkins, Viewmont, and Oakwood elementary schools

• Foothills Gymnastics on 29th Ave., NE

• Arby's on U.S. 70, SE, and U.S. 321 North

• Davidson, Holland & Co. on 13th Avenue Place, NW

• Chick-Fil-A on U.S. 70, SE

• Scruples H.A.I.R. on Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard