“We consider this something we can do to help our community,” Estates at Carpenters volunteers.
Thank you to The Estates at Carpenters volunteers for giving their time and talents to handcraft wooden LPD toy cars. Some of the volunteers who worked on this awesome project stopped by this week to drop off the toys to Chief Taylor and members of staff. The toys will be given to officers to carry in their patrol vehicles should they encounter a child while out on a call.
This excellent project was suggested by one of the residents of the Estates at Carpenters, who was a former Hillsborough County Deputy. His vision proposed that toys be crafted for the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Lakeland Fire Department, and Polk County Fire Rescue to help calm or distract children exposed to traumatic events. A toy replica matching vehicles from each agency was created.
The volunteers were also joined by a Home Depot North Lakeland representative, who donated many of the materials to create the toys. The custom graphics were made possible by a local sign company. And if a child wishes for something a little softer, cute teddy bear pillows were handmade and donated by resident Barbara Gault.
To date, 119 toy cars have been crafted and donated to LPD! Organizers from The Estates at Carpenters say they couldn’t have done it without their residents, volunteers, and gracious donors. They hope, with support, they will continue to make cars for first responders in Polk County.
Shown in the video are: Jerry Swope, Rich Smith, Ann Helzer, Mike Brink, and Chad Roe (Store 248 – North Lakeland). The dolls were handmade by Barbara Gault, who was unable to attend.