Free Hams, Turkeys for Needy Families

In an annual effort to help ensure that needy families have a good holiday meal, two police departments and a community organization are holding a free turkey and ham giveway tomorrow afternoon.

The  Cops Who Care Food Drive, supported by the New York State Police, Suffolk County Police Department and the Urban League of Long Island will distribute five hundred hams and turkeys to families in need.

The hams and turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to one turkey or ham per family.

The food distribution will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Suffolk County Police Headquarters located at 30 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY

For more information, contact the Community Outreach Bureau at 631-852-6109.

The food donation is the second Suffolk County Police holiday program this week.

Yesterday was the Shop With a Cop Program in which 50 local children, between the ages of 8 and 15, were given a $50 gift card to spend at the Target store in Bay Shore. The young shoppers were accompanied by county police officers and members of the Police Explorers program, a public service group for young adults. Target provided refreshments for the children during the event.

 "This program gives our officers an opportunity to interact with the children of our communities" said Police Commissioner Richard Dormer, said in a statement. "Our officers consider themselves fortunate to have the chance to spend time with some truly amazing children."

 "I'm honored to be working with the Suffolk County Police Department," said Travis Pirkil, the manager of the Target store in Bay Shore.  "It's great to know we are helping 50 children celebrate this holiday season."