Papa John's, police team up for holiday gift drive
By J. Eric Eckard Rocky Mount Telegram Friday, December 21, 2007
Renee Grove was a new restaurant manager in Rocky Mount looking for a way to give back to the community.
Tim Braddy was a president of a newly formed service group looking for the very same thing.
Brenda Boykin knew of a way.
On Saturday, at least 40 toys collected over the past month will be handed over to Guardian ad Litem volunteers so that a few children who might not have a happy Christmas will wake up Tuesday morning with a few presents under the tree.
"Papa John's was looking to do something for the kids, and (Grove) knew we were looking to do something, too," said Braddy, a senior police officer for Rocky Mount.
Braddy and a small group of law enforcement officers started a local chapter of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club in February. After less than a year, the group has 33 members from Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson counties.
For the holidays, the Blue Knights wanted to perform a public service project to help out needy children.
"Anything to help out the kids, especially children who don't have a lot," Braddy said.
Grove was named manager of the Papa John's pizza parlor on Sunset Avenue less than a year ago, and she wanted to conduct a toy drive at her restaurant for the holidays.
"I donated some money to the Fraternal Order of Police for their (Shop With a Cop) program, and I found out what (Braddy) was doing," Grove said. "I told him I was doing a toy drive."
That's when Boykin stepped in with her group, Guardian ad Litem, an organization that represents abused children in court.
Boykin, a volunteer for the organization, said she heard about Braddy's intentions and called him.
That's when the plan came together for Papa John's toy drive to help the Guardian ad Litem children through the Blue Knights.
"We will determine what kids are in need of something for Christmas," Boykin said. "Everybody wants something for Christmas. And these kids don't expect anything, so they'll be surprised – pleasantly surprised."
Grove said she expected more toys after starting the drive at Thanksgiving, but she believes a lack of advertising might have hurt.
"I'm busy running a restaurant, and (Braddy is) busy catching criminals," Grove said. "We'll learn from our mistakes.
"Being the first time, it was pretty successful."
Bikes, dolls and hula hoops are some of the items that have been donated so far.
But it's not too late. For the rest of the day, anyone can drop off an unwrapped new toy at Papa John's.
"We won't make a lot of kids smile this time, but making one smile is enough," Grove said. "Next year, we'll improve."
