Albany families impacted by tragedy participate in special Toys for Tots distribution

ALBANY — Two families hit by tragic circumstances this year were given the chance to make their holiday seasons brighter through the help of the Albany Police Department and Toys for Tots.

Toys for Tots partnered with APD for a special Christmas toy delivery for two families who experienced tragedy this year. The families were at the distribution warehouse Monday afternoon to select Toys for Tots contributions that would be delivered to their homes.

The families included those of two of the four children who were hit by a car at the intersection of Leonard Avenue and North Mock Road while walking to school in September, resulting in one death, and a near-drowning incident in July at Nottingham Apartments.

Corie Wheeler, the father of 4-year-old Prince Wheeler, found his family under intense circumstances after his son nearly drowned on July 5. That incident has left the youngster in a vegetative state.

The chance to utilize Toys for Tots to provide for his family during a time in which circumstances are difficult was meaningful to Wheeler because it helps to make ends meet while also bringing out a family-oriented side of law enforcement.

“We are excited that there are resources available to provide this happy opportunity (to families),” he said. “It makes me feel happy.

“(It helps) that there are resources and that people do care, and that there are still people willing to go out for the call of duty.”

Following the initial contact, police officials waited until the children involved were in the recovery stages before reaching out to officials at Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, who in turn got in touch with the Toys for Tots campaign in Southwest Georgia.

“We kept those ties (with the families) as it got closer to Christmas,” said Phyllis Banks, a spokeswoman for APD.

Apart from helping to make Christmas brighter, Banks said the APD wants to get the word out that the city’s police officers are not just first responders who interact with citizens at their worst moments.

“We are community partners giving back,” she said.

Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie Smith, coordinator of the Toys for Tots campaign, said partnerships with public safety agencies are maintained so that, from time to time, special cases can be accommodated.

“Our mission is to reach out to those less fortunate,” he said.

The campaign’s goal this year was to collect 45,000 toys. Smith said the help of contributions in the last few days, including donated educational materials and coloring books, helped to meet the goal of serving the more than 5,000 children registered to receive gifts in the Southwest Georgia campaign this year.

“We want to give a special thanks to the community for reaching our goal,” he said. “It is good to have the community reach out to give.”

The special opportunity took place a day ahead of the general distribution for Toys for Tots, which will take place throughout the day today.