The Bentley Police Department has joined forces with the Waltham Police Department for the 9th annual holiday toy drive for local area families in need. The program runs through December 20.

Donations of new, unwrapped, non-violent gifts for a boy or girl between the ages of one and 16 may be dropped off at the Bentley University Police Station lobby. Gift cards and cash donations will be accepted and converted to gift cards for distribution to the families.

"We would like to thank all of the Bentley community members who have donated to the toy drive over the years and have helped to make it so successful," says Sergeant David Sousa of the Bentley University Police Department. "Every donation whether large or small is appreciated and makes a difference in the lives of the children who would otherwise go without."

The majority of items collected during the toy drive are donated to needy families around the city of Waltham. A portion of the toys collected are also donated to the Department of Children and Families for distribution in other cities around the Waltham area.

For more information, please e-mail Officer Robert Aurilio (raurilio@bentley.edu) or Sergeant David Sousa (dsousa@bentley.edu) of the Bentley University Police Department or call the police station at 781-891-2201.