Big Island police thank community for successful inaugural Kona Holiday Toy Drive

Hawaiʻi Police Department Kona Community Policing Section extends its sincere appreciation to the community and partner organizations who supported its inaugural Holiday Toy Drive.

The inaugural event — hosted Dec. 20 at Kona Walmart — resulted in the donation of more than 1,000 toys that were subsequently distributed to The Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club to help ensure 1,000 keiki throughout West Hawaiʻi received holiday gifts this Christmas season.

The department offers a special mahalo to:

• Kona Walmart.
• The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s Food Bank.
• Bill and Justin Armijo of Trans World Metals.
• Jadalyn Valentin and volunteers from Hawaiʻi Technology Academy.
• Pageant queens from the Miss Kona Coffee Organization, Miss Hawaiʻi Island Organization and Miss Hawaiʻi Island USA Pageant.

“Their generosity and volunteer support were instrumental in the success of the event,” wrote Hawaiʻi Police Department in a release following the event.

Hawaiʻi Police Department thanks everyone who contributed their time, donations and support to help make this first-time event a success as the department looks forward to continuing this holiday tradition in the years ahead.