Two Rivers Police Department holds toy drive in honor of Elijah Vue
Nov 27, 2024
TWO RIVERS, Wis. (WFRV) — Elijah Vue's memory is being honored this holiday season as the Two Rivers Police Department partners with the Facebook group "Remembering Elijah Vue" to hold a toy drive for children in need in the Two Rivers area.
“The [Facebook group leaders] asked if we’d be willing to partner with them in regards to this toy drive. They really wanted the toys to be for children in the Two Rivers area, so we thought it would be a great organization to partner with,” said Capt. Andrew Raatz of the Two Rivers Police Department. “We’re going to reach out to our schools, local nonprofits, and see where these toys can best be put to use. In addition, we’re using toys and some of the proceeds for our Shop with a Cop fund, where we can help some underprivileged children in the area.”
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The department is accepting new, unwrapped toys for all ages through December 15. Monetary donations can also be made online or via check made out to the Two Rivers Professional Police Association.
As of Wednesday, just about a dozen gifts had been donated, the latest by Two Rivers resident Sue Hett.
“Anybody that lives here has a heart for Elijah. And what everybody went through, people just want to help,” she said. “When they did this, I just thought, ‘Yeah, I got to bring a toy.’ I just wanted to be a part of Elijah. I was a part of a search crew one day, and now I just thought, ‘I got to be a part of this.’”
When the opportunity came to get involved, Raatz said there was no chance his department would pass on it.
“For our department, Elijah’s been a huge part of our year, the biggest part of our lives,” he said. “Elijah was obviously taken from all of us way too young, so we’d like to make an impact on the community in his name if we can. This is a great way for us to keep the memory alive within our community. Obviously, we’re helping children in need, and that’s something that’s very dear to us.”
Hett is proud of the effort her community has shown over the past year.
“What this community turned into those first days and beyond, I was so happy to be a part of a small town,” she said. “We did everything we could. So now, to give back in the way of toys, that was a great idea. Happy to do it.”
As for Christmas morning, she’s touched thinking about the child’s reaction to her gift.
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“I think they’ll have a great time opening something they may not have gotten otherwise.”
As previously stated, the department is accepting new, unwrapped toys for all ages through December 15. Monetary donations can also be made online or via check made out to the Two Rivers Professional Police Association.