DNREC’s Natural Resources Police team up with U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Cpl. Andrew Manning of Delaware State Parks Natural Resources Police, and 6-year-old zoo visitor Huxley Young prepare to add presents to the Toys for Tots donation box at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington. Secretary Garvin and DNREC Natural Resources Police officers gathered at the zoo today to encourage the public to donate toys as gifts to less fortunate children at DNREC locations statewide by Dec. 12/ DNREC photo: Joanna Wilson

DOVER – DNREC Natural Resources Police units from Delaware State Parks, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Environmental Crimes Unit within DNREC’s Division of Community Affairs have teamed up with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program to provide toys for children in local communities for the holidays.

The Brandywine Zoo, operated by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, hosted a special event today, Nov. 27, to promote DNREC’s Natural Resources Police collecting donations for the Toys for Tots campaign. Left to right: Zoo staffer Mandy Fischer, Fish & Wildlife Officer Bryan Whittington and Capt. Brian Pollock, Zoo Curator of Animals Lynn Klein, State Parks Capt. John Wales, Parks Community Relations Coordinator Shauna McVey, Environmental Crimes Unit Officer Matthew Tull and Chief Daniel Wood, State Parks Chief Wayne Kline, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, and State Parks Cpl. Andrew Manning. /DNREC photo: Joanna Wilson

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys suitable for boys and girls of all ages, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in communities nationwide.

Toys will be accepted through Thursday, Dec. 12 at the following drop-off locations:
• All Delaware State Park offices statewide, including the Brandywine Zoo, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Natural Resources Police office in Sussex County at 23530 Campbell Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Environmental Crimes Unit offices at 715 Grantham Lane, New Castle, DE 19720, and 97 Commerce Way, Suite 106, Dover, DE 19904, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• DNREC Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Various locations and events throughout the state attended by Natural Resources Police officers.

For more information, or for the dates and locations of upcoming events where toys can be donated, please contact Delaware State Parks Cpl. Andy Manning at andrew.manning@delaware.gov or 302-855-2113, Sgt. Brooke Mitchell at brooke.mitchell@delaware.gov or 302-739-9913, or PFC Rebecca Schuman, at Rebecca.schuman@delaware.gov, or 302-739-9401.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

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DNREC’S Division of Parks & Recreation seeks volunteers for 2018 Yorklyn Day festival event committee

YORKLYN – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is seeking volunteers to serve on an event team in preparation for the 2018 Yorklyn Day festival. A volunteer recruitment meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 23 at the Center for Creative Arts, 410 Upper Snuff Mill Row, Yorklyn, DE 19736.

The second annual Yorklyn Day event committee welcomes the public to be part of the volunteer team for the festival. Yorklyn Day 2018 will be held Sunday, July 1 in Yorklyn, and is hosted by the Division, Auburn Heights Preserve, and The Center for Creative Arts.

The many volunteer opportunities for Yorklyn Day include: manning the information tent, greeting visitors, event setup and breakdown, and program assistance. Members of the public, whether familiar with the activities, ready to volunteer, in need of community service hours, or curious about the event, are welcome to learn about the different opportunities available. No experience is needed.

Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged. More information is available by calling volunteer manager Kathleen Dempsey, Auburn Heights Preserve at 302-239-2385.

Vol. 48, No. 84

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902