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Doin’ it Big: NOPD Gives Away More than 500 Bicycles, Toys in Department-Wide Holiday Giveaway

by Ambria R. Washington

December 22, 2017

Categories: Announcement, Community, On the Beat

Topics: Districts, Good Police Work, Partnerships

Doin’ it Big: NOPD Gives Away More than 500 Bicycles, Toys in Department-Wide Holiday Giveaway

Over the last two weeks, the NOPD has been in a spirit of giving and cheer with what has been a list of large-scale community engagement events this holiday season. More than 500 brand-new bicycles and hundreds of toys have been given to families and children throughout the city.

The First District held its Christmas bicycle giveaway on December 15 at Phyllis Wheatley Community School on Dumaine Street, where officers gave more than 110 bicycles to students at the school.

Officers from the Second District partnered with Walmart and the Soul Rebels on Wednesday, December 20, to pass out gifts to pre-K, Kindergarten and first graders of Lafayette Academy Charter School on South Carrollton Avenue. Officers also purchased more than 20 bicycles out of their own pockets to give to kids in their district.

Third District officers also purchased more than 40 bicycles out of their own funds to pass out to kids and parents before Christmas Day.

Officers from the Fourth District spread some holiday cheer on December 18, as they paid a visit to Paul Habans Charter School and handed out toys and games to more than 50 students in pre-K, Kindergarten and first grade. The students were the recipients of items collected during the district’s annual toy drive, where members of the community brought toys to the district. Fourth District officers also gave back to the community themselves by purchasing 40 bicycles out of their own funds to give to families in the district. The bicycle drive was held today (December 22) at the Fourth District station.

Fifth District officers partnered with Daughters of Charity Health Center of New Orleans on Friday, December 15, where toys and bicycles were placed in the roll call room. Families and children were brought up to the roll call room by officers to pick out a toy and bicycle. A total of 49 bicycles, all purchased by Fifth District officers, were distributed to families and children in the district.

Sixth District officers partnered with three schools last week, where students were brought to the Sixth District station and served a hot meal by officers. Officers then give away about 80 bicycles on December 15) to students in the district, with the help of community support.

Officers from the Seventh District all came together to give a special gift to the family of fallen officer Marcus McNeil. The officers also delivered a festive experience for a special family that included Christmas treats and a visit by Santa and his elves.

In the beginning of the month, the Eighth District held a second line and tree decorating party with students from Homer Plessy School. Officers from the district also collected 83 bicycles and plan to pass them out before Christmas Day.

On Wednesday, the NOPD Headquarters staff held a bicycle giveaway where 116 bicycles were distributed to children in the area. All bicycles were purchased by NOPD officers and staff members.

So far, the NOPD has purchased and collected 547 bicycles in a department-wide bicycle giveaway. The NOPD has also partnered with local business owner, Jesseca Dupart, who plans to donate hundreds of bicycles to the NOPD that will then be distributed to different community organizations.  

Additional tidings of holiday spirit are planned for the weekend. Most importantly, the NOPD would like to thank all community members and citizens who donated or supported us to help our department make this Christmas special for families in the city.

As always, thank you for your support and Happy Holidays!