A local charity's holiday toy drive took a negative turn after flooding damaged most of the donated toys.
Brockton Police Officer Rosie Vasquez-Browne runs a charity called Project Guardian Angel, and the charity's biggest event is its annual holiday toy drive for children.
Vazquez-Browne is used to dealing with emergencies, but said this is a big one.
Things were shaping up nicely for the toy drive, which began on November 1, until the facility where all of the donated gifts were stored ended up flooding.
"I felt sick," Vazquez-Browne said. "But, I have faith."
"The sump pump wasn't working," Vazquez-Browne said. "It burned, and no one had any idea because it never flooded. This is the first time it's flooded."
By the time the flood was discovered, most of the toys were ruined.
Vazquez-Browne said the flooding damaged hundreds of gifts, with the loss totaling about $10,000.
"We were counting on those toys to start making the bags early so our volunteers can spend time with their families earlier this year," Vazquez-Browne said. "But, we're starting basically from scratch again."
Vazquez-Browne started the toy drive 17 years ago out of the back of her police cruiser, and said this is the first time anything like this has ever happened.
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"She’s from this community and it means a lot to her," Brockton Police communications director Darren Duarte said. "She remembers when she was a child what she had or didn't have, and she wants to make sure the children in this community have more than what she had when she was a child."
With only weeks before the toys are supposed to be delivered, Project Guardian Angel needs all the help it can get, and needs it fast.
Vazquez-Browne said she's counting on it, along with hundreds of children.
"People are always grateful, thankful," Vazquez-Browne said. "Again, I just think about the kids."
There is a bin in the lobby of the Brockton Police Department where toys can be dropped off at any time, and gifts, gift cards and checks can also be mailed to Project Guardian Angel at the Brockton Police Department.
The charity's Facebook page can be found by clicking here.
Toys, gift cards and checks can be sent to:
Project Guardian Angel c/o Brockton Police Department
7 Commercial Street
Brockton, MA, 02302