Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Dec 18, 2008 9:59 pm US/Central
Sansom Park's "Tickets For Tots" Has Big Impact
SANSOM PARK, Texas (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The letters keep coming. Some come with money, while others offer words of thanks. A letter written by Buffy Rodgers of Rhode Island came with both.
"I read about your town in my local paper. Please buy a gift from Santa for a child. I wish it were more. God bless and protect all of you," the letter read.
It all started with
a story that aired on CBS 11 in late November when the Sansom Park Police Department began writing unique tickets. Drivers who broke the law were given a break and instead were handed "Tickets for Tots."
The drivers were encouraged to drop off a new toy at the police department in exchange for the officer's good will. But then the story went national.
"We were enthused and amazed. It touched our hearts because we have a lot of kids who without this will not have a Christmas at all," said Samsom Park Police Chief Tony White.
Boxes of toys and money from as far away as New York, Iowa, Tennessee and Maryland started pouring in. Newspaper articles about the program appeared across the country. Soon, the toys began piling up and had to be moved to the fire station next door.
"It was just shocking because we are such a small town. My brother in Mississippi called and told me that he heard about it on their local news," said Sansom Park Fire Department Capt. Shelby Brock.
But the story doesn't end there. The Sansom Park Police Department started receiving phone calls and e-mails from police departments around the country. The departments were looking for help to set up a "Tickets for Tots" program in their cities.
From Ohio and North Carolina to Florida and Maryland, police officers from other states were eager to take part in the Christmas spirit.
Sansom Park police will continue writing "Tickets for Tots" up until Christmas Eve. The officers along with firefighters will start handing out the toys to needy children starting next week.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS Mobile Launches Local News iPhone Apps
Click to enlarge
RAW VIDEO: Dallas Co. Chase Ends w/Crash
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments