Carbondale Alerts
Carbondale Police Press Release - Community Christmas Store
NEWS RELEASE
City of Carbondale, Illinois
December 6, 2024
For Immediate Release
CARBONDALE – This week the City of Carbondale Police Department held its 24th annual Community Christmas Store at the police department. Each year, the Christmas Store provides new toys for children ages 1 through 10 from Carbondale. The program also includes providing a new coat and a pair of new shoes for each child served. Many coats come from donations through a Coat Drive co-sponsored by the SIU Athletics Department. The department is proud to announce that 71 families (a total of 151 children) were helped during the Community Christmas Store this year.
The department would like to thank everyone who donated to the program to make this year a success. A special “thank you” goes out to Carbondale Walmart, the Kiwanis Club of Carbondale, Shoe Carnival, SIU Athletics Department, Confluence Books, and Friends of the Carbondale Public Library for their very generous donations and assistance with the program. Without this assistance and donations from the community, the department would not be able to provide this program. The Police Department also would like to thank its staff for their time and effort in making this program happen. The Carbondale Police Department is proud to work with our community to make a better Christmas for these children and families!
Carbondale Police Chief and Interim City Manager Stan Reno said, “The Community Christmas Store is a great example of the power of collaboration and generosity in Carbondale. It is heartwarming to see our community come together each year to provide toys, coats and shoes for local children. This experience helps ensure they experience the joy of the holiday season. This year, thanks to the incredible support of our local businesses, organizations, and volunteers, we were able to brighten the holidays for 71 families and 151 children. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who donated, partnered and dedicated their time to make this program a success. The spirit of giving and care in Carbondale continues to inspire and strengthen our community.”
The mission of the Carbondale Police Department is to work in partnership with our community to preserve life, protect human rights, protect property and improve quality of life by providing police service to all in a fair, sensitive, and professional manner.