Hundreds of men, women and children comprising more than 200 needy Nashville families will receive food and toys from Metro police officers Christmas Eve morning as the police department’s annual Christmas Basket Program enters its 46th year.
In its inception, the program served two families. Over the years, requests for assistance and those actually helped by the program have steadily grown. Families are chosen at the recommendation of police officers who come into contact with them during the year.
This Christmas, approximately 400 needy children will receive toys from the Christmas Basket Program. Thirty needy elderly citizens and 15 Alive Hospice families will also be served. Contributions from hundreds of police department personnel, both sworn and civilian, and from the Nashville community fund the program.
“The Christmas Basket Program is one of our police department’s most important continuing outreach programs and has helped disadvantaged Nashville families and elderly persons since 1961,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “I am very proud of the dedicated police department staff and the generosity of persons in our community who have helped make this tradition such a long lasting success.”
Officers will begin gathering to put the finishing touches on the baskets at 5 a.m., Monday, December 24, inside the cafeteria of the old Tennessee State Prison located just off Centennial Boulevard in West Nashville. Delivery of the baskets and toys will begin at 6 a.m. Assisting in the deliveries this year will be Tennessee Correction Commissioner George Little. Media representatives are welcome to arrive at the cafeteria at 5 a.m. Monday and to take part in deliveries. To get to the cafeteria, travel along the right side of the prison wall until you see two large open iron gates on the left. Drive through the gates into the prison yard. The cafeteria will be directly in front of you.
Central Precinct Commander Andy Garrett is the police department’s volunteer coordinator and “Chief Elf” of the Christmas Basket Program.
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