Our Organization

​​Charlotte-Mecklenburg Explorer Christmas Project

​​Explorers Christmas Project Cadets collage​

Since 1974, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the CMPD Police Explorers have partnered with the community to provide a Christmas for less fortunate families in Charlotte. When this project started, the Police Department helped 15 families by providing them with gifts for their children. Today, the project is much larger and provides gifts to hundreds of children across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

In an effort for CMPD to reach more families in need of assistance we have partnered with the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program. The Salvation Army has a long history of serving communities in need.​​​ 


​Christmas Tree lit upThe goal of CMPD Explorers Christmas Project is to provide assistance to families that are experienced an emergency situation during the Holidays. These family referrals come from Police Officers and Firefighters that respond to emergency calls for service during the holidays.

A program of this size goes well beyond the reach of what the CMPD and the Explorer Post can do on our own. It is only through the generous giving of other people that we can meet the need that is present in our community. There are several ways for individuals and groups to get involved and help us meet our goal this year which include:​
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Donate Toys<div class="ExternalClass8B51D7078B90479E8B4226D190E93C3B"><div style="margin-left:4px;margin-right:4px;"> If you would like to donate toys, you can drop them off at any <a href="http://charlotte.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=6190bfd91ea74ff6b6046450955963e7&webmap=92d59e37732d43f6ab22f181c5c1795f" title="find a fire station"> <strong>Charlotte Fire Stations</strong></a>​ or <a href="http://charlotte.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=060aa14710c04014bedc086ea3d0aa9b" title="find your division office"> <strong>​CMPD Division Offices</strong></a> or Christmas Project toy drive events listed on our Calendar of Events tab.​<br><br> Toy Donation Guidelines <ul><li> Toys for children between the age of 0 to 14 year old </li><li> No-violent toys</li><li> New unwrapped toys (You can always provide gift wrapping paper with your donated toys)</li></ul></div></div>
Setting up a toy drive<div class="ExternalClass5968D8E86DEF440EA4D7D9D5B7A5B297"><div style="margin-left:4px;margin-right:4px;"> <a href="https://charlottenc.seamlessdocs.com/f/ToyDriveSponsor" title="fill out the sponsorship form">Set up a toy ​drive at your business, house of faith, school, etc., by filling out this form.</a> <br> <br> </div></div>
Online Angel Tree <div class="ExternalClassADFADE1CCAEB43ADB0153E1EDD9A39AB"><div style="margin-left:4px;margin-right:4px;"> <strong>Sponsoring a child for Christmas</strong><br><br> The CMPD Explorers Christmas Project has partnered with the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte and their Angel Tree Program. Please visit the Online Angle Tree to sponsor a child for Christmas.​ <a href="https://www.angelwebsponsor.com/registerwccb.asp?sid=2839" title="sign up to sponsor a child" target="_blank">Sign up to sponsor a child!</a><br><br> </div></div>
Volunteering<div class="ExternalClassE7039997B25F4D4EB24F47DC72EA2312"><div style="margin-left:4px;margin-right:4px;"> <strong>Become a Volunteer for the Christmas Project</strong><br><br>You can volunteer at the CMPD Explorers Christmas Center and assist with shopping for children in our toy land. If you are interested in volunteering please visit <a href="https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A8A92EA7F49-cmpd5" title="fill out the sign up form" target="_blank">https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A8A92EA7F49-cmpd5</a> to sign up. <br><br>​​ </div></div>
Make a donation<div class="ExternalClass812ADB844DF44763A00DDF96FE320A39"><div style="margin-left:4px;margin-right:4px;"> Making a monetary donation through PayPal<br><br>​ <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=J3WLWGD46A6U6" target="_blank"> <img alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" /></a> <img width="1" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <br> <br>We understand that sponsoring a child or family for Christmas takes time. If you prefer, leave the shopping to us! You can make a monetary donation to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Explorers Post. Donors can write checks to <strong>CMPD Explorer Post 237/247</strong> and mail to: <ul> Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department<br> Attention: <a href="mailto:rbotzenmayer@cmpd.org" title="send an email">Officer Ryan Botzenmayer</a><br> 601 East Trade Street<br> Charlotte, NC 28202</ul>​ <br> <br><img alt="Explorers Venmo QR Code" src="/CMPD/Organization/PublishingImages/SupportSvcs/MyVenmoQRCode.png" style="width:60%;height:60%;" /><br><br> </div></div>
Calendar of Events<div class="ExternalClass2DD1001C44CA4DF5BEDD0928BBEDC79B"><div style="margin-left:4px;margin-right:4px;"> <strong style="text-decoration:underline;">CMPD Explorers Christmas Project - Calendar of Events</strong><br><br><em>Join CMPD and our partners for the following “Drive-Thru” donation events and donate to the toy drive!</em><br><br><strong>CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot</strong> <ul><li> Symphony Park – South Park Mall - 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211<br>Packet Pickup -- Tuesday, November 22, 2022 -- 12:00p.m. – 7:00p.m.</li> <br> <li> Symphony Park – South Park Mall - 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211<br>Packet Pickup -- Wednesday, November 23, 2022 -- 12:00p.m. – 7:00p.m.</li> <br> <li> Symphony Park – South Park Mall - 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211<br>Turkey Trot Race -- Thursday, November 24, 2022 -- 6:30a.m. – 10:30a.m.</li></ul> ​​ ​​ <br> <br>​<br><br><br><strong>WAL-MART Collection Days</strong> <ul><li> Wal-Mart – 11145 Bryton Town Center Dr. in Huntersville, NC<br>Friday, December 9, 2022 -- 7:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.</li> <br> <li> Wal-Mart - 8180 South Tryon St. in Charlotte (Whitehall Commons Shopping Center)<br>Friday, December 16, 2022 -- 7:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.</li> <br> <li> Wal-Mart - 1830 Galleria Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28270<br>Saturday, December 17, 2022 -- 11:00a.m. – 7:00p.m.</li></ul> ​​ ​​ <br> <br> <br> <strong>Blakeney Holiday Events</strong><br> Blakeney Town Center - 9870 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 <ul><li> Stories with Santa and Mrs. Claus Event, Cookies and Cocoa - Charity Gift collection<br>Sunday, December 11, 2022 -- 3:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.</li> <br> <li> Santa Photo Session in Santa House - Charity donations accepted for photos with Santa<br>Sunday, December 18, 2022 -- 3:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.</li></ul> ​​ ​​ <br> <br>​<br><strong>Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway</strong><br><strong><em>Thursdays bring a toy to donate and receive $5.00 off admission</em></strong><br> Charlotte Motor Speedway - 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027 <ul><li> Thursday, December 1, 2022 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li><li> Thursday, December 8, 2022 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li><li> Thursday, December 15, 2022 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li><li> Thursday, December 22, 2022 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li></ul> <br> <br>​<br><strong>CMPD Explorers Christmas Project Ceremony / Delivery Day</strong>​ <ul><li> Ceremony & Delivery Day: Wednesday, December 21, 2022 -- 10:00am </li></ul> <br>​ </div></div>

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