Wooster police and volunteers ‘Stuff the Cruiser’ to support 120 families for the holidays

Wooster police officers play many roles in the community.

Some roles are part of their usual job description; others are volunteer.

For the past 15 years, one of the ways officers, their families and a whole host of community volunteers have helped start the holiday season with a reminder that it’s all about giving is with their annual Stuff the Cruiser drive.

Stationed outside of Wooster’s Walmart, officers volunteering their time collect gifts for area families in need — literally stuffing their cruisers with donations. It’s not surprising to see Sgt. Santa in his signature blue Santa uniform make an appearance. And when schedules permit, a canine officer and even one of Sgt. Santa’s elves drop by. Kids are always allowed a peek inside the cruisers.

This year, thanks to the Wooster Police Department, the community and the help of many volunteers, 120 Wooster families will be able to provide their families a holiday celebration.

The Stuff the Cruiser team spent two days last month collecting donations instead of the usual three.

“We collected items early so we wouldn't be interfering with The Salvation Army's program,” SRO patrolman April Teichmer said, adding donations were down this year. “We didn’t get the amount of donations we normally do. I believe it's because of the current food stamp issue as well as the general trend of online shopping.”

In 2010 a now-retired officer had the idea of collecting gifts for children at the holidays. Before that, the department would collect canned goods for area food banks. The project has grown each year. Recipients are identified through Wooster City Schools.

This year, by digitizing the process, participating families were able to share specific wants, interests and sizing for their kids. According to Teichmer, the added technology was a help and a challenge. 

“This worked great ... once it worked,” she said. “Let's just say I'm a cop, not a techy person.”

Once everything is collected, the project is far from over for the department and volunteers. Over the following two-week period, items were transported, organized, organized some more, shopped, dispersed for pickup and delivered to families with transportation limitations.

Stuff the Cruiser is much more than a weekend event. It takes countless volunteers to make sure each family’s box is stuffed with just the right assortment of items.

All the added specifics for each family was a great help and also created a greater need for volunteer assistance.

“From the information that the guardians provided, I arranged (everything) for each family on a form that we use to shop for each child,” Teichmer said. “Once an item is found for the child, we can then mark it off on the sheet. This is so beneficial because we have many people that work on this project, and we want to make sure we don't put six of the same item in the box accidentally. Some families are quite large, so it can be challenging to make sure each kid receives what they want.”

Some of this year’s assistants included Grace Church and Wooster Student Council.

“The kids from student council had a great time shopping or playing Santa,” Teichmer said.

For those who missed the chance to donate to Stuff the Cruiser and wish to participate in some holiday giving, there are plenty of opportunities around the community. Donations are currently needed for holiday break boxes to be sent home with Wooster City Schools students over the holidays. Donations of the same items also are welcome all year and are added to the Generals Pantry, where students can take items home from school as needed.

Last year 100 boxes were sent home. Teichmer said with the gap in food support this year, they are aiming for 200 boxes. High school students will be able to wrap boxes during study hall.

“This is a great chance for students to earn volunteer hours,” she said.

The Wooster City School District Transportation Department is offering its time between bus runs to deliver the boxes of food and supplies to families.

There are two wish lists for the boxes and pantry. Items may be shipped or dropped off at Wooster High School, 515 Oldman Road, Wooster, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Monetary donations may be made out to Wooster City School District with a memo of Generals Closet/Resources and mailed to Wooster City Schools, Attn: Heather Olsen, 144 N. Market St.