WSU Public Safety Chief Tony Casciano (left) and Lt. Bernie St. George stand in front of the donations that were received in just the first 30 minutes of the Stuff a Cruiser drive. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD- The Department of Public Safety at Westfield State University held its 18th annual stuff a Cruiser gift drive on the campus green Wednesday.
The gift drive took place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and public safety officers collected donations of toys and supplies to benefit families in domestic violence shelters.
“We are bringing the donations to domestic abuse shelters in the Westfield and Greater Springfield area,” said WSU Public Safety Lieutenant, Bernie St. George.
According to St. George, the drive was a success compared to previous years. He said that the estimated number of donations received were at least equal to, if not in excess of what they have seen in years past.
“We won’t know the final count until the shelters come to pick them up,” said St. George, “but we definitely had at least two police cruisers filled with donations.
Some of the earliest donations for the Stuff a Cruiser drive. These toys were dropped off directly at the WSU Public Safety Headquarters. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WSU students who donated a gift were entered into a raffle to win one of three prizes. They could win a television, a tablet, or a classic gaming console. The raffle winners were chosen at the end of the drive at 5 o’clock.
The Public Safety Department will continue to accept donations until December 19th, however they must be brought to the headquarters on campus.
“We’re not just looking for donations of toys, we have to remember the moms too,” said WSU Public Safety Chief Tony Casciano, “We will take gloves, sweaters, and toiletries as well. When the families go to the shelters, they will be taken out of their house with nothing.”
So far, $600 in financial donations have been made as well.
“It’s a community thing for the university,” said Casciano, “just something small to make sure that, come Christmas time, everyone has something.”
