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Date: 12/6/2021
HOLYOKE – Morgan Reardon and Tessa Moriarty are both born and raised Holyoke residents with close ties to the Holyoke Police Department. Reardon’s father is a sergeant in the Narcotics Unit and Moriarty’s father is the captain. The girls are now asking for donations to continue the tradition of handing out toys to kids in need at Christmas.
Prior to COVID-19, the Holyoke Police Department and families would personally deliver toys to shelters and families in need on Christmas morning. Moriarty said that this tradition started about 40 years ago.
She said that officers would visit shelters or low-income areas for emergencies and see how large the need for help, especially during the holiday season, was. The department then decided to give back and put together the toy drive.
“Most of the kids didn’t even believe in Santa because they’d never gotten presents before so they were like ‘Why would Santa even come here? Why would he be at a place like this?’ So it’s very heart wrenching and just a good thing to do to give back and see these kids have an enjoyable moment,” said Moriarty.
With the pandemic, the department isn’t able to personally deliver toys as usual. Both Reardon and Moriarty said that they decided to begin collecting monetary donations in 2020 so that they could still help out.
“With COVID-19, we can’t go anymore on Christmas morning. They kind of just drop the presents off before at the shelters and so we decided last year to donate so that we could still be a part of it since it’s been our Christmas tradition,” said Moriarty.
They spread the word on social media that they were accepting Venmo donations to buy as many toys as they could and then deliver them to the Holyoke Police Department to be brought to shelters and families in need.
Last year, the girls were able to collect about $750.
“We just did the money thing because a lot of people are using Venmo and not everybody has time to go out and buy a toy, so we thought that would be easier in case some people just want to donate and we can do it,” said Reardon.
They bought toys from Dollar General and Five Below and shopped for all ages. Reardon said that they bought items such as soccer balls, basketballs, board games, nail polish, makeup, books, notebooks, toys and more.
Each child was able to receive about two to three toys.
“It’s good to help give back to our community and make sure that these kids who don’t normally get toys on Christmas or wouldn’t have a lot get more than one toy for the most part,” said Reardon.
Both Reardon and Moriarty are now asking for donations again this year. So far, they have raised over $200 and will be accepting donations until Dec. 15. This will give them enough time to purchase the gifts and bring them to the station before the holiday.
The Holyoke Police Department is also accepting donations of toys to be brought to shelters. Those interested in donating are able to bring their contributions to 138 Appleton St. or call 322-6900 for more information.
“If someone knows someone who needs a toy they can call the Police Department and they arrange for it, so they’ll bring it to that specific family wherever they live at the time,” said Reardon.
Moriarty emphasized how willing the Holyoke Police Department is to help anyone in need.
“They will be more than willing to bring them toys as well,” she said.
The girls said that both their families and the Holyoke Police Department expressed gratitude when they collected donations in 2020.
“They were super thankful and super proud. They were just super grateful that we still, even though we can’t be there physically on Christmas helping hand these toys out, wanted to be able to give back and show that we still love participating in it,” said Reardon.
Despite both girls being busy in college, they still make time to help out their hometown community.
“We’re both in college, so it’s hard with finals and stuff but we still make time for it,” said Reardon.
They think that continuing this tradition is a great way to give back and also to show cops in a good light.
“It’s a good way to put the cops into the community in a good light rather than what they’re usually portrayed as. It’s kind of a good way to have these kids be looking up to them rather than what society, at times, makes them look like,” said Moriarty. “If they know they can do something to better these kids’ lives, they’re going to do it. The Holyoke Police Department is amazing and has been amazing to their community, even during COVID-19. I would just love for people to see them in a different light than what is portrayed in the media most of the time”
Reardon said that it also shows that cops are always here to help and support.
“It gives the cops a chance to make a connection with these kids who maybe don’t have such a positive connection when they see police where they live. It just helps remind them that not all cops are bad and that they’re here to help and they’re here to make them have a good Christmas,” she said.
Those interested in donating are able to send money through Venmo. Reardon’s username is “morganreardonn” and Moriarty’s is “Tessa-Moriarty-1”. All donations will be used for toy purchases.