The Warwick Police Explorer Post 327 is holding its 2nd annual Holiday Toy Drive as part of its ongoing effort to teach participants the importance of giving back.

The Warwick Police Explorers is a program designed for youths aged 14 to 20 who have an interest in a career in law enforcement. The program has 25 kids who explore the world of law enforcement through weekly classroom trainings, ride-alongs and other hands-on experiences. The program aims to “foster a sense of responsibility and civic pride through which Explorers will go out into the city and state and perform services for the community” and has classes that go over fitness, report writing, boot shining and station tours, traffic control and radio etiquette and firearms safety.

“Community service is a cornerstone of our program, so it's important for us to teach our kids to give back,” said Program Director Officer Alfred Melucci. “The toy drive is one example of what our kids do for the community.”

The drive takes place over a four-day period. On Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, the Explorers will be collecting toys at the Walmart located at 840 Post Rd. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 they will collect toys at the Walmart located at 650 Bald Hill Rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Any new, unwrapped toys will be accepted at these locations. All donations will be given to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick and the JONAH Community Center in Oakland Beach. The toys will be given to families in need from those organizations.

“Last year, the drive was a big success with about 25 shopping carriages full of toys being donated,” Melucci said. “Hopefully, we will see similar results this year.”

Melucci extended thanks The Warwick Youth Programs Advisory Prevention Task Force, Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi, Walmart and Target, saying their assistance makes it possible for the explorers to participate in all types of community service year round.

“They are a great group of people. Officer Melucci in particular and all the police officers involved help the explorers stay out of trouble, [keep up their] physical and mental agility, and keep them on a good path to a very productive future,” said Shekarchi.

Shekarchi added that he’s been to explorer graduation ceremonies and hopes to attend one of the toy drive weekends to further show his support.

Neither the Warwick Police nor the City of Warwick funds the explorers, so the program runs with the help of grants, donations, and fundraising. Melucci said Shekarchi and the Warwick Youth Programs Advisory Prevention Task Force are very big supporters of the program and help secure funding for the program from the state.

“It’s a great program,” said Melucci. “It’s nice because the toys all go to children within the city of Warwick and there are plenty of children and families in need, especially during this time of year. We’re very happy to partner with Boys and Girls Club as well as well as the JONAH community.”