Clearwater Police Investigate Toy Aisles At Target For Good Cause

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater first-responders are pulling double duty this month.

In between investigating crimes, rescuing crash victims and putting out fires, Clearwater Police and Fire & Rescue are spreading holiday joy.

On Tuesday, Clearwater Police officers exchanged their cruisers for shopping carts to purchase toys and other gifts for needy children this holiday season.

Joined by police aides and civilian employees, police scoped the aisles of Target at 2747 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., for toys to fill children's wish lists.

In the meantime, Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews will answer a special kind of call on Wednesday.

Santa, who moonlights as a Clearwater firefighter during the off season, will ride a fire engine to Mease Countryside Hospital, 3231 McMullen Booth Road.

Once at the hospital, Santa and his elves, who also dabble as firefighters during their down time, will distribute toys and other gifts to children, with the assistance of the Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation.

The toys have been collected through the assistance of community partners Walmart and Publix, along with city of Clearwater employees and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1158.