If you’re out and about shopping over the next few weeks, consider donating to the annual Stuff a Truck holiday toy collections. The drive, now in its sixth year, is hosted by Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and will take place at several locations throughout the Lower Peninsula.

The goal is to collect new, packaged toys, as many as it takes to “stuff” the back of a conservation officer patrol truck. All collected toys will be donated locally to ensure more children have gifts to open Christmas Day.

“Michigan conservation officers are connected to our communities – not just through law enforcement but also by actively working to build community relationships, too,” said Lt. Todd Szyska, DNR Law Enforcement supervisor in Detroit. “Christmas should be a time for peace, love, hope and joy. We want to share that spirit of the season by helping those in need and making the holiday a little brighter.”

Stuff a Truck started in Detroit on Belle Isle in 2019, with all toys donated to the Detroit Police Department’s Sergeant Santa program. Stuff a Truck has expanded to include events this year in Clare, Gaylord, Grandville, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Traverse City, donating to local Toys for Tots and Salvation Army organizations.

“Our concept initially was simply to see if we could stuff the bed of a conservation officer patrol truck with donated toys,” Szyska said. “Well, that first year we filled not only one, but two trucks. It was always the hope that the Stuff a Truck concept would go beyond Detroit, and we are proud that the program has expanded to support more communities throughout the state.”

This year, Stuff a Truck events will accept new, packaged toys (free of wrapping and decorations) at several locations, including:

Saturday, Nov. 30

• Detroit: DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, 1801 Atwater St., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the OAC to take complimentary pictures with anyone who donates a toy. Donations go to the DPD Sergeant Santa program. OAC admission rates still apply. A drop-off bin will be available during business hours until Dec. 6.

Saturday, Dec. 7

• Traverse City: Blain’s Farm and Fleet, 210 U.S. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations go to Toys for Tots.
• Kalamazoo: Walmart, 6065 Gull Road, noon-3 p.m. Donations go to the Kalamazoo Salvation Army.
• Muskegon: Walmart, 1879 E. Sherman Blvd., noon-3 p.m. Donations go to the Muskegon Salvation Army.
• Grandville: Cabela’s, 3000 44th St. SW, noon-3 p.m. Donations go to the Grand Rapids Salvation Army.

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 7-8

• Jay’s Sporting Goods, 8800 S. Clare Ave., Clare and 1151 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations will go to the Central Michigan and Gaylord Toys for Tots.

Drop-off donation bins are also available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until Friday, Dec. 6, at the following locations:

• Belle Isle Park Office, 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit (donations go to the DPD Sergeant Santa program).
• Maybury State Park, 49601 Eight Mile, Northville (donations go to the DPD Sergeant Santa program).
• DNR Plainwell Customer Service Center, 621 N. 10th St. (donations go to the Grand Rapids Salvation Army).

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.

The DNR’s next crop of CO recruits is getting ready to start Conservation Officer Training Academy #13, which begins Sunday, Jan. 5, in Lansing. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.