Santa Claus has made contact once again this year with his police comrade, Coppa Claus.
For seventeen years now, Coppa Claus has been assigned to make personal visits to sick and needy children in the Savannah and Brunswick area.
Coppa Claus, or Reverend Todd Rhodes, a former lieutenant for Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police department will be visiting a number of sick children who are too ill to leave the hospital during the Christmas season. Coppa Claus also distributes toys to children of low income, those who have been victimized by crime and those whose parents are deployed overseas.
In 17 years over 7,500 children of needy families have been served without regard to race, religion, or income. He doesn’t do it alone; Coppa Claus has help from 14 supporting organizations, including the following:
- Youth for a cleaner environment ( YFACE)
- 165 Georgia national Air Guard Medical group and Airmen Council
- Response Uniforms
- Memorial Day School
- Overcoming by Faith Ministries
- First African Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church
- Men’s Council of the Butler Presbyterian Church
- SSgt Radcliff USMC Toys for Tots
- Mall Minni Storage Facility
Following the directions he received personally from a remote northern location, Coppa Claus will begin handing out Christmas gifts the week of Christmas. A more detailed agenda will be distributed in the weeks ahead.
Coppa Claus is in need of new unwrapped toys, gift cards and clothing items to help these needy families.
If you would like to help you can drop off items at:
- SCMPD Headquarters, 201 Habersham Street, Savannah Ga.
- Precinct 3, 1512 Bull Street, Savannah Ga.
- Brunswick Police Department, 206 Mansfield Street, Brunswick Ga.
Leave a Reply