Coon Rapids Police and Fire Departments Launch Annual “Season of Giving” Holiday Drive

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — The Coon Rapids Police Department (CRPD) and Coon Rapids Fire Department (CRFD) will host their annual Season of Giving Kick-Off on Sunday, November 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Coon Rapids City Hall, 11155 Robinson Drive NW. The longstanding event signals the start of the city’s holiday donation campaign, which supports several local nonprofit organizations serving families, children, and seniors across Anoka County.

Community Giving and Family-Friendly Engagement

Residents attending the kickoff will be able to donate a range of items while enjoying activities designed to bring the community together:

• Donation Drive: The city encourages attendees to bring new, unwrapped toys, winter gear, non-perishable food items, toiletries, or monetary donations.
• Police and Fire Vehicle Tours: Families will have the opportunity to step inside CRPD and CRFD vehicles and learn more about the equipment first responders use daily.
• Meet Rocky the Raccoon: Rocky, the city’s mascot, will greet visitors and help spread holiday cheer.

The kickoff event has alternated between City Hall and the Coon Rapids Ice Center in past years. It also complements the city’s extended donation period, with collection sites open for several weeks following the event.

Local Charities to Receive Support

Donations received during the kick-off and throughout the city’s collection window will directly support several community-focused organizations:

Toy Recipients

• Mercy Hospital (Children’s Units): New toys help brighten the holiday season for pediatric patients.
• Toys for Tots: A national program distributing toys to children in need.
• Toys for Joy: A volunteer-run Anoka County program providing gifts and meals to thousands of families through its partnership with the Anoka County Christmas Committee.

Comprehensive Support Organizations

• ACBC Food Shelf (Anoka County Brotherhood Council): Offers emergency food assistance, a clothing closet, and essential goods for local families.
• Anoka County Christmas Committee: Provides food support—including holiday meals—to families across northern Anoka County.
• Alexandra House: The county’s only 24-hour domestic and sexual violence shelter, offering emergency housing, advocacy services, and basic-needs assistance.
• Granny’s Closet: Supports low-income seniors and adults with disabilities, supplying clothing, personal-care items, household necessities, and holiday gifts through its “Christmas Angels” program.

Donation Options and Logistics

• Monetary Donations: Checks should be made payable to the Coon Rapids Fire Department Community Fund. Donors are asked to specify their preferred charity on the memo line.
• Additional Drop-Off Locations: For those unable to attend the Nov. 23 event, donation sites will remain open from Nov. 24 through Dec. 15 during regular business hours at Coon Rapids City Hall. Additional collection sites include the Coon Rapids Ice Center, Bunker Hills Golf Club, and all three Coon Rapids fire stations.

Strengthening Community Ties

City officials emphasize that the Season of Giving campaign not only meets essential needs during the winter months but also strengthens community relationships. By uniting first responders, nonprofit partners, and residents in a shared effort, the program ensures that thousands of local families experience a brighter, more supported holiday season.

MinneapoliMedia