Public Defender makes donation to Toys For Tots campaign

TRENTON – The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender will present toys collected by its employees over the past month to the U.S. Marine Corps' "Toys For Tots" campaign on Thursday, December 19, at 2:30 p.m. at the agency's office in the Hughes Justice Complex.

Marines based in West Trenton will be on hand to accept the gifts that have been donated by OPD employees from throughout the state.

"At this time of year, we are especially mindful of those less fortunate," New Jersey Public Defender Yvonne Smith Segars said. "Being the agency that represents indigent clients in New Jersey's courts, we see all year long the effects of poverty on children. We have two units – Law Guardian and Parental Representation – which deal exclusively with family matters, and you see those effects all year. So we decided this year we would make a special effort to collect toys to give to those children who may not otherwise have a happy holiday season."

Renee Herron-McKithen, the agency's Affirmative Action Officer, said OPD management was overwhelmed by the response of its employees to calls for toy donations.

"The generosity of our employees was just incredible," she said. "It really makes you proud to be associated with people who are so generous."

For more information or for directions to the Hughes Complex in Trenton, please contact Jeff Beach, the OPD's public information officer, at (609) 777-1862.