The Wapello Police Department is looking to serve more families in need with their second annual Christmas toy drive.

Police Chief Brandon Marquardt says last year’s first-ever campaign helped about 60 families in the surrounding Wapello area, and this year they’re opening up the drive to all of Louisa County, “We’ve got a tremendous amount of donations in money, gifts and toys already. It would be very nice to serve at least 100 families and I’ll think we’ll do that since we opened it up to the communities of Morning Sun, Columbus Junction and all the other areas in Louisa County as well.”

Marquardt says about 400 toys and $1,000 were donated to last year’s toy drive and this year is already trending to surpass those totals. Still, he says they could use more gifts for older kids, “Last year was the same way, we didn’t have a lot of gifts for the 14-year-olds to those 16-or-17-year-old age, so we’re trying to get more gifts in that age bracket this year.”

Marquardt says those interested in donating can drop off items at the police department or they can make arrangements for officers to pick the donations up. He says distribution of toys and gifts is scheduled for next Monday (December 21). Marquardt says families wishing to receive toys/gifts can sign up with the police department for delivery or they can just drop by during giveaway night.