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 12 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://give.salvationarmycarolinas.org/campaign/online-angel-tree/c209072?c_src=USS-NSC-OAT-Web" 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> CMPD is a partner with <strong>The Salvation Army</strong> and they managers the Christmas Center Volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering <a href="https://www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/charlotte/make-a-contribution/volunteer/volunteer-page" title="find out more information to volunteer">please visit the Salvation Army's Volunteer page.</a><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> </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> <strong>CMPD Explorers Christmas Project Kickoff Party</strong><br> Charlotte Motor Speedway - 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027 <ul><li> Saturday, November 17, 2018 -- 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.</li></ul>​​ ​​<br><br><br> ​<strong>CMPD Explorers Christmas Project Toy Drive</strong><br> Wal-Mart Supercenter - 8180 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28273 <ul><li> Friday, November 30, 2018 -- 6:00a.m. – 7:00p.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 6:00 PM – 10:00</em></strong><br> Charlotte Motor Speedway - 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027 <ul><li> Thursday, November 29th, 2018 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm </li><li> Thursday, December 6th, 2018 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li><li> Thursday, December 13th, 2018 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li><li> Thursday, December 20th, 2018 -- 6:00pm – 10:00pm</li></ul> <br> <br>​<br> <strong>Walmart CMPD Explorers Christmas Project Toy Drive</strong><br> - Walmart Supercenter – 1830 Galleria Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28270 <ul><li> Saturday, December 8, 2018 -- 11:00am – 2:00pm</li> <br> </ul>​ - Walmart Supercenter – 3240 Wilkinson Blvd.​, Charlotte, NC 28208 <ul><li>​ Sunday, December 9, 2018 -- 1:00pm – 4:00pm​</li></ul> <br> <br>​<br> <strong>Winter Wonderland Ice Rink at SouthPark Mall</strong><br> 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211​ <ul><li> Tuesday, December 11, 2018 -- 5:00pm – 7:00pm</li><li> Tuesday, December 18, 2018 -- 4:00pm – 7:00pm</li><li> Tuesday, December 19, 2018 -- 4:00pm – 7:00pm</li></ul> <br>​ </div></div>

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