CARBONDALE – Officers and staff of the Carbondale Police Department Friday met with Jessica Baker along with members of her team at the Carbondale Walmart and received a generous donation to the department’s annual Community Christmas Store program.

Walmart donated $1,000 worth of gift cards for the department to purchase items, such as toys and shoes, for the Community Christmas Store. Carbondale Police greatly thanks Jessica and all the staff at Walmart for this donation to the community.

Each year, the Christmas Store provides toys to children from Carbondale ages 1 to 10. The program also includes providing a new winter coat to each child. Coats for the children are donated through an annual Coat Drive, co-sponsored by the SIU Athletics Department.

“On behalf of the Carbondale Police Department, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jessica Baker and the team at Carbondale Walmart for their generous donation to our annual Community Christmas Store program,” said Interim City Manager and Police Chief Stan Reno. “With Walmart’s support, we will be able to provide more toys, winter coats, and shoes to children in need in Carbondale, to assist our Carbondale families this holiday season. This program relies on our community’s dedication and generosity, and we are deeply grateful to all who support it year after year.”

If you wish to register your child for this program, you can sign up now until Nov. 21. To register please call the police department at 618-457-3200 Ext. 447 and speak with Elizabeth Sears or leave her a message.

Donations of new children’s sized winter coats, new children’s shoes, or new toys can be dropped off in the lobby of the Carbondale Police Department and the Civic Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Financial donations from individuals or groups can also be dropped off at the Carbondale Police Department.