If you’re out and about this week and weekend, consider donating to the seventh annual Stuff a Truck holiday toy collections. The drive, hosted by Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, will take place at several locations throughout the Lower Peninsula.
The goal is to collect new, packaged toys, as many as it takes to “stuff” the back of a conservation officer patrol truck. All collected toys will be donated locally to ensure more children have gifts to open Christmas Day.
Stuff a Truck started in Detroit on Belle Isle in 2019, with all toys donated to the Detroit Police Department’s Sergeant Santa program.
“Since 2019 we have been collecting and donating toys in the hopes of making more children’s holiday a bit brighter,” said 1st Lt. Damon Owens, DNR Law Enforcement supervisor in Detroit. “One of the most rewarding aspects of Stuff a Truck is being out in the community delivering gifts to unexpecting families throughout the city of Detroit.”
Where to donate
Stuff a Truck has expanded to include events this year in Clare, Gaylord, Grandville, Kalamazoo, Northville, Traverse City and Whitehall, with donations going to local Toys for Tots and Salvation Army organizations.
This year, Stuff a Truck events will accept new, packaged toys (free of wrapping and decorations) at several locations, including:
Saturday, Dec. 6
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Grandville: Cabela’s, 3000 44th St. SW, noon-3 p.m. Donations go to the Salvation Army.
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Kalamazoo: Walmart, 6065 Gull Road, noon-3 p.m. Donations go to the Salvation Army.
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Traverse City: Blain’s Farm and Fleet, 210 U.S. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations go to Toys for Tots.
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Whitehall: Walmart, 2755 Holton-Whitehall Road, noon-3 p.m. Donations go to the Salvation Army.
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 6-7
- Jay’s Sporting Goods, 8800 S. Clare Ave., Clare, and 1151 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations will go to the Central Michigan and Gaylord Toys for Tots.
Drop-off donation bins also are available in Detroit and Northville through Saturday, Dec. 6. at the following locations (donations go to the DPD Sergeant Santa program).:
- Belle Isle Park Office, 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Belle Isle Conservatory, 876 Picnic Way, Detroit, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Belle Isle Aquarium, 900 Inselruhe Ave., Detroit, Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Maybury State Park, 49601 Eight Mile, Northville, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.
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