DANBURY, CONN. — Exemplifying the holiday spirit this time of year, the Western Connecticut State University Police Department hopes to offer relief and support to those in need in the Danbury community through two charitable events. The WCSU Police Department will host a “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event and Toy Drive this December for the upcoming holidays.

The “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 1 and 2, 2012, in front of Walmart, 67 Newtown Road in Danbury. The public is encouraged to join in this initiative to fill the police cruiser with donated items, especially toys, so children in need can feel uplifted this holiday. All donated items will go to a children’s charity in the Danbury area. For more information, call Officer Shane Dufresne at (203) 837-9305.

Also in December, the Police Department will conduct a toy drive from Thursday, Dec. 6, to Thursday Dec. 20, 2012. The proceeds will benefit the State of Connecticut Department of Children & Families Danbury office. When thinking of donations, participants are asked to consider teenagers as these specific donations are most desperately needed. Suggested items for children are books, CDs, DVDs, toys for young children and babies, and winter jackets and sweatshirts for all ages.

Donations can be dropped off any time at the WCSU Police Department Dispatch Center on the Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Parking Office in Room 247D of the Westside Classroom Building on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. For more information, call Sgt. Richard Montefusco at (203) 837-9302.

“The true spirit of the holiday season is helping those in need. The WCSU community as a whole understands that statement and demonstrates it on a daily basis,” Montefusco said. “The time of the year is upon us to give thanks and help those who are in need.”

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.