During the week of January 16th-25th, DPD officers came together to warm up the lives of those that are less fortunate. Our Community Affairs Division has kicked off the New Year with the Bridge Initiative to gather donations for winter-wear items.  Dallas officers led the way with their donations and encouraged others to also donate new or gently used items. We asked for hats, scarves, gloves, and blankets. We received those items and so much more. Windbreakers, sweatshirts, coats, socks, t-shirts, pants and even teddy bears came pouring in, totaling well over 1,200 items collected. What’s even more impressive, these items were collected in just one week. Donations were received from all seven patrol divisions, Jack Evans Police Headquarters, Oak Cliff Municipal Center, Lake West and Jubilee Storefronts and Dallas City Hall. Much of the generous donations came from our officers and civilian staff.

Citizens in the community received word of the Winter Wear Initiative and began showing their support. One anonymous donor left 90 hand-knitted scarves.

We could not have done it alone without our kind donors such as ONCOR, who came to us early in the process with their eagerness to help. They donated nearly 300 long sleeve jersey sweater tops.  We also want to receognize the following generous donors who saw a need and supported the cause:  GST Public Safety Supply, Joy Promotions, Galls Quartermaster, Uniforms Incorporated, Already Gear, VF Imagewear, Apparel Sewn Right, Regali Inc., Hines Nut Company, and Harrington Produce Company.

We would like to thank everyone who came together for this initiative, and I know we will continue to work together in the future.