Retired Officers Work to Make Holiday Brighter

A good meal, a time for fellowship, and a time to give back,  the first Thursday of December is Christmas dinner for the Retired Police Officers Association of Oklahoma.

"This is something we look forward to every year," said the organization's 1st Vice President, Jerry Biggers.

A tradition has grown along with the dinner.  Members go out of their way to brings in handfuls or more of toys to donate to the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots.

"We spent our careers serving the public, and just because we're retired we didn't quit being law enforcement people and we try to help and assist in any way we can," Biggers said.

The toys go to kids in need, kids who would otherwise not a get a present on Christmas morning. 

"Its very gratifying to know that even those who really can't afford it, will find a way to help donate," said president Riley Lenex.

Lenex estimates 500 toys were donated in the 2011 drive.  Members brought in extra boxes this year to accommodate all of the donations.

"We never know what act of kindness we give to a child may return to us 100-fold in the future. That could be the one act of kindness that child receives that really puts him on the path of  straight and narrow," said Tom Ashing, the secretary for the Retired Police Offices Association.

Although the Christmas dinner if for members, the Association invites the community to drop off a donation at its location.  The Retired Police Offices Association is located in the Fraternal Order of Police building at 1624 S. Agnew.  The Association will take donations Monday through Thursday this week from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Retired Officers Work to Make Holiday Brighter

Posted: Sunday, December 2 2012, 11:08 PM CST