SHELBY, Ohio — Members of the Shelby community have enthusiastically responded to the Shelby Police Department’s request for Christmas presents, which will be given to local families in need.
Over the past few weeks, people have piled presents under the Christmas tree in the police station’s lobby.
“The response has been great,” Police Chief Lance Combs said.
First grade students at Auburn Elementary School stopped by with a number of gifts and treats for the officers, he said. Members of the Shelby YMCA Run Club also visited while out on their run to drop off a handful of presents.
One student from Dowds Elementary School reached into her piggy bank, spending all that she had on presents to put under the department’s tree. Civista Bank also added to the collection of gifts.
Combs said the giving stems from what was originally an effort to “spruce up” the department building for the holidays. Shelby FOP Lodge 180 donated a 12-foot Christmas tree and decorations for the lobby.
But something was missing. There weren’t any presents underneath the tree. The department kicked around some ideas, wondering if they shouldn’t just wrap empty boxes.
Then Capt. Barry Argo pitched the idea of bringing in actual presents for people and asking community members to do the same.
Combs said he spoke with Shelby Helpline, a nonprofit organization, about this idea. He found out that Helpline delivered gifts to people earlier in the month, so the department would be able to help fulfill last-minute requests from those who are less fortunate.
Combs said the department has been notified of a few families in need and is striving to meet those requests. Any remaining gifts will go to Helpline to help meet needs in the new year.
He said for one family, close to $400 was collected to go to the purchase of a Meijer gift card.
Combs thanked the community for its overwhelming support and said this may become a holiday tradition.
