The Arlington County Police Department is organizing the 11th annual Fill the Cruiser Toy Drive to support children in need throughout Arlington. The event invites community members to donate new, unwrapped toys for children from newborns up to 17 years old.
Collection events will take place at several locations: Our Lady of Lourdes Church on November 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Arlington Assembly of God on November 8 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Lee Harrison Shopping Center on November 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and during A Very Village Holiday at The Village at Shirlington on December 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For those unable to attend the events, stationary drop boxes will be available between November 1 and December 8 at various locations across the county, including local businesses, libraries, and community centers.
Toys collected by the Police Department will be donated to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program.
The initiative comes as Arlington County Public Schools District enrolled 27,536 students during the 2023-24 school year, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to the previous year’s enrollment of 27,582 students. Washington Liberty High School had the highest enrollment among the county’s schools with 2,904 students. White students made up the largest ethnic group in the school district, accounting for 41.9% of the enrollment, followed by Hispanic students at 30.3%. Montessori Public School of Arlington enrolled the most pre-kindergarten students among county schools with 103 students, representing nearly 12% of all pre-kindergarteners in Arlington. More information about school enrollment statistics can be found at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home.
“It’s the season of giving! The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is proud to once again host the Fill the Cruiser Toy Drive—now in its 11th year—benefiting children in need across Arlington,” said ACPD representatives.
Community members are encouraged to participate by donating toys at one of the collection events or drop box locations to help brighten the holidays for local children.
