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Students at The Day School celebrated the holiday season with a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a motorcade of local police officers, as part of the annual Presents From Police gift drive.

Now in its 14th year, the community tradition brought together dozens of police departments and volunteers who collected and delivered toys to children with complex needs. The donated gifts included sensory-friendly and educational items designed to support student development. Nearly 200 students, ages 5 to 21, received gifts tailored to their likes and needs. Day School students have complex needs, multiple disabilities or autism, and benefit from highly specialized education and related services.

Presents From Police was founded in 2011 by Aspinwall Police Officer David Nemec with the goal of building positive connections between law enforcement and the community while spreading joy during the holiday season. Participating departments included Aspinwall, Sharpsburg, Fox Chapel, Shaler, Blawnox, Etna, Upper St. Clair, Indiana, Bethel Park, McCandless Township, Port Authority, Edgeworth, Millvale, O’Hara, Hampton, Ross Township, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Pittsburgh.

Through the continued generosity of local police departments and community partners, the Presents From Police program once again ensured that the holidays were filled with warmth, kindness and celebration for students and families at The Children’s Institute.