Stuff a Truck toy-collection events start this week

Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 11/23/2021 12:05 PM EST

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- DNR News -

Nov. 23, 2021

Contact: Katie Gervasi, 517-290-0679

DNR conservation officers begin collecting toys this week at Stuff a Truck holiday events

Stuff a Truck toy collection

If you’re out and about shopping over the next few weeks, consider donating to a Stuff a Truck holiday toy collection. The annual collection, hosted by Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, has expanded this year and will be accepting toys at locations in Chesterfield, Clare, Detroit, Dundee, Gaylord, Muskegon, Plainwell, Saginaw and Traverse City.

Stuff a Truck is a holiday collection of new, packaged toys, with the goal of collecting as many toys as it takes to “stuff” the back of a DNR patrol truck. All toys are donated to local children to ensure more children have gifts to open on Christmas Day.

“We’re excited to see this important community event continue to expand throughout the state,” said Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “We hope that local communities will support this program and our officers by donating new, packaged toys at one of the several event locations, and taking the time to meet their local conservation officers.”

Stuff a Truck originally started in Detroit on Belle Isle in 2019, with all toys donated to the Detroit Police Department’s Sergeant Santa program. In 2020, Detroit-based conservation officers collected and delivered more than 330 toys to Detroit children. Last year, the program partnered with Jay’s Sporting Goods to add locations in Clare and Gaylord.

This year, conservation officers will collect new, packaged toys (please make sure the toys are in original packaging and free of holiday wrapping and décor) at the following Stuff a Truck events:

  • DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, 1801 Atwater St., Detroit (toys will be collected curbside and donated to the Detroit Police Department’s Sergeant Santa program).
    • Friday, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
    • Saturday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Saturday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Jay’s Sporting Goods, 8800 S. Clare Ave., Clare (toys will be donated to the Clare Toys for Tots).
    • Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    • Sunday, Dec. 5, noon-4 p.m.
  • Jay’s Sporting Goods, 1151 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord (toys will be donated to the Gaylord Toys for Tots).
    • Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    • Sunday, Dec. 5, noon-4 p.m.
  • Cabela’s, 45959 Towne Center Blvd., Chesterfield (toys will be donated to Southeast Michigan Toys for Tots).
    • Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Cabela’s, 110 Cabela Blvd. East, Dundee (toys will be donated to Southeast Michigan Toys for Tots).
    • Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3500 Marketplace Circle Drive, Traverse City (toys will be donated to the Traverse City Toys for Tots).
    • Saturday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Cabela’s, 5202 Bay Road, Saginaw (toys will be donated to the Saginaw Toys for Tots).
    • Saturday, Dec. 11, noon-4 p.m.
  • Walmart, 1879 East Sherman Blvd., Muskegon (toys will be donated to the local Salvation Army).
    • Saturday, Dec. 11, noon-5 p.m.

If you’re in the Detroit or Plainwell area, you can also donate toys at one of the following drop-off locations.

  • Belle Isle Park main office, located at 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (available until Dec. 4).
  • DNR Customer Service Center, located at 1801 Atwater St., Detroit, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (available until Dec. 4).
  • DNR Customer Service Center, located at 621 North 10th St., Plainwell, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (available Nov. 30-Dec. 9).

Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Detroit: Conservation officers at the curbside 2020 Stuff a Truck event located at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center; officers collected more than 330 toys. Conservation officers will host a 2021 curbside event at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center Friday, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Clare: Conservation Officer Josh Wright at the 2020 Stuff a Truck event hosted at Jay’s Sporting Goods in Clare. Both of the Jay’s Sporting Goods locations (Clare and Gaylord) will host 2021 events Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5, noon-4 p.m.

DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DNR.