Pickleball Players and Marco Police Join Forces for Toys for Tots

On Marco the Christmas Spirit can be found throughout the island and amongst many different groups. The traditions that surround the holidays can be found in as many different places and as part of almost every organization, religion and culture throughout the world and especially amongst us here in our nation and right here within our community.

In the last couple of weeks those special threads of generosity and love have weaved themselves together to create a magical blanket that will provide those in need with the warmth of the Spirit of Christmas as the Marco Island Police Department joined with pickleball players across the island who have fallen in love with that sport.

The Marco Police Headquarters just happens to be located across the street from the Marco Island Racquet Center on San Marco Road. MIPD had been collecting gifts as part of the Toys For Tots Christmas Drive. Several officers with MIPD were also avid players, as is Chief Tracy Frazzano. The two groups would soon recognize the natural synergy of combining their efforts for the advantage it might bring to the goal of helping those in need during this special time of year.

On Friday, December 2nd the Marco racquet players would host a gathering at the local pickleball courts where refreshments and light snacks would be available between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM for players who brought an unwrapped gift to supplement those being acquired during the Toys for Tots drive being run by the officers and staff of the Marco Police Department.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to help provide assistance to those families with children that were so hard hit as a result of Hurricane Ian and for those that are suffering under other hardships. We have over 400 players and growing and we welcomed the opportunity to be part of the solution to making this a better Christmas for many in need,” said Pickleball player Lisa Hogan.

Marco P.D has a collection box in the lobby of the police headquarters located at 51 Bald Eagle Drive. Residents can drop off unwrapped gifts through December 11 for the benefit of the program.