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The Stamford Police Association co-hosted the 59th annual holiday party for developmentally disabled teens and adults who participate in the Always Reaching for Independence (ARI) program. It was held at ARI’s headquarters, 174 Richmond Hill Ave.
The association, which has been sponsoring the event for more than five decades, donated funds to buy more than 100 gifts for ARI participants. Santa was on hand to pass out the gifts.
The association also held its annual winter coat drive on Friday. Officer Jerry Junes, the SPA's coat drive coordinator, said the coats will be given to the Darien-based organization Person-to-Person.
"We have very good condition coats and so far we have received seven to eight brand new coats," he said. "It's the entire Stamford community that has given coats."
Last year, the association broke the 200 mark. This year he said they hope to at least match that number with about 170 collected so far.
Among the generous donors are members of the department, he said. Junes began the program in 2008 as he saw a need for the coat drive.
"I am familiar with the community, familiar with different families and you understand that there are a lot of families that need a helping hand at this time of year," he said. "I feel this could be of great assistance for a lot of families."
Donors were eligible to pick up a New York Yankees beanie hat donated by the team, although as of early Friday afternoon none of the donors had taken Junes up on that offer, preferring to simply donate their coats and leave. Jones said any leftover hats would be donated to Domus, a youth-centered organization in the the city.
In the years since the SPA began the annual coat drive, more than 1,000 new or lightly used winter coats and other winter accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves have been provided to families in need.
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