Maryland Public Safety Holds toy Drive in Somerset Co.

(PRINCESS ANNE, Md) – Families in need in Somerset County got a boost Friday morning for the holiday season. And it’s thanks to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and a toy drive they’re holding in Princess Anne.

Throughout Friday morning, families got a hand from Maryland Correctional Services, and quite a few people said they are thankful for the gesture.

“Well, I miss the sign up for every other organization. So, seeing this, definitely was a big help for, you know, my girls Christmas this year,” says Chelsea Timmons as she left the toy drive with her two year old daughter.

While Gianni Wise says, “I didn’t really have enough money to get my niece, a lot of things, so I just wanted to downstream gotten some food there, and that was kind of. It kind of hurt my feelings, you know? So I had to go and get her something else.”

And for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, being able to help struggling families shows the department isn’t just about incarceration.

Executive Director of Maryland Parole and Probation, Yolanda Bethea tells WMDT, “This is an opportunity to remove barriers to help families who may be struggling, to be, you know, successful, to be able to, be able to support their children and their families. And so, it’s a rewarding experience.”

For some of the people feeling the pressure this holiday season, it’s a welcome surprise from what feels like an unlikely place…

Michel’le White of Princess Anne says, “It’s honestly a blessing because this year has been really hard on a lot of people with different things as far as food insecurities, bills, it’s just this is a huge help. And just an extra push to get everyone in the holiday spirit.”