"It's really very gratifying:" Shielded Hearts hosts 6th Annual New Toy RoundUp
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- They're symbols of love and security, to inspire triumph after tragedy.
"I hope that it's giving them some hope and some comfort and kind of showing them that things are going to turn around from here," said Shielded Hearts RoundUp Coordinator Krista Orlowski.
For the sixth year, Shielded Hearts is hosting its New Toy RoundUp.
"Shielded Hearts is an organization of police wives who encourage hope in police work through service, friendship, faith, and education," said Orlowski.
All of the toys go to the Child Protection Center of Milwaukee.
"The more toys we have on hand the better it is for the children to get an opportunity to pick something that is very specific to them and something they want to take home," said Milwaukee Police Officer Carla Lehmann.
Through the years, almost 25,000 toys have been collected from the RoundUp going to children who are victims of abuse or in the foster care system.
"It's devastating to hear about and see these children having to go through these situations. As a mother, I can't imagine what the children are feeling," said Orlowski.
Officer Lehmann worked with some of these children first-hand and got to see the difference a toy can make.
"It's really very gratifying to be able to see that. It makes everybody happy there to see the kids reaction and they get to come in and choose from a selection of toys," said Officer Lehmann.
Anyone interested in helping the cause can drop of a new toy at seven different police department locations in the Greater Milwaukee Area through March 6th.
For more information on the Shielded Hearts' RoundUp or to find a drop-off location near you, CLICK HERE.