It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s time for CMPD Explorer’s Christmas Project and annual toy drive! Since 1974, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the CMPD Police Explorers have partnered with the community to provide a Christmas for less fortunate families in Charlotte. Join Power98 this season in helping us spread holiday cheer and help put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas. Power will be on site collecting new unwrapped toys at the Whitehall Commons Shopping Center (8108 South Tryon Street) on Friday, December 16th. You can drop off toys from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Donations will continue to help families during the entire holiday season. You can also donate on Venmo. All the details can be found below!
Donate Toys
If you would like to donate toys, you can drop them off at any Charlotte Fire Station, CMPD Division Office, Huntersville Ford (13825 Statesville Road, Exit 23 off I-77), and Rock Hill Ford (1884 Canterbury Glen Lane, Exit 79 off I-77) now through December 31st or Christmas Project toy drive events listed below.
Toy Donation Guidelines
- Toys for children 14-years-old and under
- No violent toys
- New unwrapped toys (You can always provide gift wrapping paper with your donated toys)
Calendar of Events
Join CMPD and Queen City News for the following drive-thru donation events!
CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot
- Symphony Park — South Park Mall — 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Packet Pickup — Tuesday, November 22, 2022 — 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Symphony Park — South Park Mall — 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Packet Pickup — Wednesday, November 23, 2022 — 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Symphony Park — South Park Mall — 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Turkey Trot Race — Thursday, November 24, 2022 — 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
WAL-MART Collection Days
- Wal-Mart — 11145 Bryton Town Center Dr. in Huntersville, NC
Friday, December 9, 2022 — 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Wal-Mart — 8180 South Tryon St. in Charlotte, NC (Whitehall Commons Shopping Center)
Friday, December 16, 2022 — 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Blakeney Holiday Events
Blakeney Town Center — 9870 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Stories with Santa and Mrs. Claus Event, Cookies and Cocoa — Charity Gift collection
Sunday, December 11, 2022 — 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Santa Photo Session in Santa House – Charity donations accepted for photos with Santa
Sunday, December 18, 2022 — 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Thursdays bring a toy to donate and receive $5.00 off admission
Charlotte Motor Speedway – 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
- Thursday, December 1, 2022 — 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Thursday, December 8, 2022 — 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Thursday, December 15, 2022 — 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Thursday, December 22, 2022 — 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
CMPD Explorers Christmas Project Ceremony / Delivery Day
- Ceremony & Delivery Day: Wednesday, December 21, 2022 — 10:00 am
A Donation
We understand that sponsoring a child or family for Christmas takes time. If you prefer, leave the shopping to us! You can make a monetary donation to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Explorers Post. Donors can make a monetary donation through PayPal by clicking here.
Donors can write checks to CMPD Explorer Post 237/247 and mail to:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- Attention: Officer Ryan Botzenmayer
- 601 East Trade Street
- Charlotte, NC 28202
Donors can make a monetary donation through Venmo to: @CMPDExplorersProgram
