CONTRIBUTED TO
THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — The Twin City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 21 is spreading holiday cheer once again with its annual toy drive, which kicked off Nov. 2. The communitywide effort helps bring the magic of Christmas to local families by providing toys for children throughout Lee County.
Every year since 1968, Twin City FOP Lodge No. 21 has collected toy donations through bins placed at local businesses, bringing the community together to make the holidays brighter for families in need. In 2025, the toy drive helped more than 160 families put presents under their Christmas trees. This year, organizers hope to build on that success and make an even greater impact and help even more families.
Toy drive registration
Families interested in participating can find registration forms online at leecosheriffal.gov/toydrive. Completed registration forms will be accepted Nov. 10 and 18, 5:30 to 7 p.m. CT each day, at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. No registration forms will be accepted outside of this window.
In addition to a printed copy of the completed registration form, applicants must bring the following documents to register:
Birth certificate(s) for each child
Proof of residency
State-issued photo ID or passport
Court-issued guardianship paperwork, if the applicant is not the child’s parent
To qualify, children must be between the ages of 2 and 9 and reside in Lee County, Alabama. Children are not eligible if they are currently participating in another Christmas assistance program, have participated in this toy drive for three of the past five years or do not reside in Lee County.
Parents and guardians of registered, eligible children will be able to pick up toys on Dec. 16 and 17, just in time to make Christmas morning a little more magical.
Donations welcome
Community members can help make the season brighter by donating toys at the following collection locations from Nov. 2 through Dec. 11, during each location’s normal business hours:
Lee County Sheriff’s Office:
1900 Frederick Road, Opelika
Opelika Fire Department, Station 1:
604 Ave. B, Opelika
Stone Martin Builders: 107 N. 9th St., Opelika
Toy Bunker:
500 N. 26th St., No. 206, Opelika
Every donation makes a difference. Thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses, Twin City FOP Lodge No. 21 can continue its tradition of helping Lee County families experience the joy of Christmas.
For more information about this toy drive, contact Sherika Whitlow at (334) 737-7110 or swhitlow@leecosheriffal.gov.
