Inmates’ Children Receive Holiday Gifts, Winter Coats

The children of more than 50 Alexandria inmates received a holiday gift Tuesday thanks to Toys for Tots and Operation Warm.

Some children also received winter coats. Family members and guardians picked up the new toys and coats at the Alexandria Sheriff's Office headquarters on Mill Road.

Each year, Toys for Tots provides the sheriff's office with donated toys so children of inmates in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center who otherwise would not receive gifts can receive a toy during holiday celebrations. This year, Toys for Tots of Quantico, under the direction of Marine Staff Sgt. Oscar Villegas, provided about 200 new toys, including stuffed animals, dolls, cars, trucks, balls and games.

Operation Warm donated 60 new coats as part of its Coats for Kids campaign, marking the second year in a row that the organization has partnered with the sheriff's office to ensure children in need have adequate clothes during the cold winter months. The sheriff's office worked closely with the regional coordinator, Capt. Willie Bailey of the Fairfax County Fire Department, to determine how many coats were needed.

In recent weeks, inmate services staff contacted inmates to identify those who had children who could benefit from the program. Eligible inmates then provided staff with the age and gender of the children, as well as the name of the family member or guardian who would be picking out the toys and coats.