Police toy drive returns December 12, with wagon rides and a trip to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital

The Brookfield Police Department's annual toy drive is back for its 12th year. The drive runs Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 84 Federal Road, in the parking lot of Five Guys and Kohl's.

Donated toys will be delivered to the children at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital the following week, traveling in UPS trucks escorted by Brookfield police officers. The department asks for new, unwrapped toys only.

The day is a small holiday event in itself. Free horse-drawn wagon rides, provided by the Heritage Hitch Foundation, run from noon to 2 p.m., and the department will have free coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks. The drive goes ahead rain, snow, or shine. The department has run the toy drive for more than a decade, and each year the donated toys go to children spending the holidays in the hospital. Officers escort the UPS trucks carrying the toys to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital the week after the drive.

The department asks for new, unwrapped toys only. Anyone who can't make it on December 12 can drop off a donation any time at Brookfield Police Headquarters, 63 Silvermine Road. Questions about the drive can go to the department's community email, BPDCommunity@BrookfieldCT.gov.