OPS hosted its annual toy drive on Dec. 17, 2021. Deputy Director Mike Reese helped choose the Amidon-Bowen Elementary School as the recipient of the toy drive. District Manager Mr. Robert McKinney helped organize the event with the help of many OPS staff.  

“Instructor William Greenwood was a big part of this,” McKinney said. “Cpl. Harley, Sgt. Cleveland, [Security Manager] Dedajic, and Lt. Dixon separated the toys by what they thought the different age groups would want. The pre-k to kindergarten was in one classroom, and the first grade to the fifth grade was in another classroom. We divided up the toys into the two rooms and then they brought the kids in. Each kid was allowed to pick out one toy. Their teachers were there to make sure it was run okay.”

Mr. McKinney has been participating with the toy drive since 2014, but he said the Honor Guard has been putting it on for more than a decade.  

“For me, it’s very enriching to see those kids,” he said. “Some of them you can tell are very needy and, luckily, we had coats to give away. They needed that and to see the officers in uniform. It makes me feel good when they ask questions of us and for them to be even interested. And knowing that OPS is a part of something special for those kids.”