Residents are invited to help local children bundle up this winter by donating to the City of Hilliard’s sixth annual Cram the Cruiser event.
The event is a coordinated effort to collect new winter items, such as coats, gloves, hats, snow boots, socks, hooded sweatshirts, and pants for elementary-aged children to “cram” a cruiser full.
Donors may use the collection boxes at the Hilliard Community Center, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive; Safety Services Building, 5171 Northwest Parkway; or Hilliard Municipal Building, 3800 Municipal Way.
Drop-off is encouraged between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, but the boxes at the Division of Police and Community Center will be available after hours. Items will be collected at the boxes through Dec. 1.
Donations also can be dropped off at the Hilliard Tree Lighting, slated for 4 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in Downtown Hilliard. A cruiser will be located near First Responders Park.
“This annual holiday tradition in Hilliard has grown enormously thanks to the generosity of so many residents, businesses, and organizations in the Hilliard community,” said Chief of Police Michael Woods. “We take pride knowing this event ensures every child in Hilliard who needs a coat in Hilliard will get one.”
All collected items will be given to K-12 students at Hilliard City Schools.
In addition to the winter weather items donated to the school district, the program funds donations to the Hilliard Food Pantry, and each of the pantries at Hilliard Bradley, Darby, and Davidson high schools.
Hilliard’s Cram the Cruiser is generously sponsored by Amazon Web Services, Credit Union of Ohio, Mayco Colors, and Painter & Associates.
