Warwick Police Explorers Post 327 will host its first annual holiday toy drive this December. The drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will take place on Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 13 at the Walmart near the Rhode Island Mall. It will also take place at the Walmart on Post Rd. on Dec. 6.

The drive will accept toys for children of all ages. The toys will be donated to the Warwick Boys & Girls Clubs and the JONAH Center. All toys will be given to children in the Warwick community.

Officer Al Melucci, director of the Explorers program at the Warwick Police Department, is organizing the event. Melucci says that all 30 cadets in the program will be involved in the holiday drive. He also says that they are hoping to raise as many toys as possible for local children in need.

“One of the big cornerstones [of the Explorers program] is giving back to the community,” he said.

In addition to giving toys to children in need, the drive is also intended to teach cadets the importance of giving back to the community. Anyone who is unable to make it to the toy drive who wants to give can contact Melucci at 468-4371.

The Warwick Police Department has close ties with the Boys & Girls Clubs as well as the JONAH Center. In fact, members of the JONAH Center helped plan the toy drive. In addition, the Boys & Girls Clubs allow the police department to use their facilities to conduct training exercises when needed.

Lara D’Antuono, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs, says that the club organizes donated toys into a Christmas shop. This provides parents and guardians with the “traditional holiday shopping experience.”

“As a parent, one of the best things that you can do is to buy a gift for your children on Christmas,” said D’Antuono. there is no cost for the toys..

When asked about the Warwick Police’s holiday toy drive, D’Antuono said that her organization is very “thankful” that they were giving their time to help. She also says that Al Melucci, who is organizing the toy drive, does a “fantastic job.”