Police still seek angel gifts

Six angels are still in need of adoption at the Lebanon Police Department.

The department is collecting gifts for local foster children through the Angel Tree program, and six of the original 25 angels remain, with the Dec. 14 deadline closing.

“[The Angel Tree program] has been a big success for us the past several years,” said Dawna Gutierrez, coordinator of the program for the department. “We’ve always been able to turn over all of the items.”

Angels are both male and female and range in age from newborn through teenaged.

The items requested are very specific – one four-year-old female angel is requesting dress-up clothes; a one-year-old male angel needs a LeapFrog Learn and Groove Drum.

“They have various needs,” said Gutierrez of the angels, “usually very inexpensive things.”

Gutierrez said the Mapco on South Cumberland Street donated a girl’s bicycle to the effort, and a woman donated at least 100 Hot Wheels still in their packaging to be distributed in the community.

“I just thought it was amazing,” said Gutierrez. “She just brought them in and said ‘Can you distribute this better than I can?’ I just think it’s amazing how this time of year really brings out the best in everybody.”

The Angel Tree is in the lobby at the police department at 406 Tennessee Blvd. Gifts should be returned unwrapped to the location where Angel card was originally picked up by Dec. 14 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.