Emma Johnson, who runs an annual Christmas toy drive for K9s, is asking locals to help make the holiday season a little brighter. Emma started the toy drive when she was 5 years old.
“I wanted all the hardworking K9s in our community to feel special on Christmas and get a present, just like kids do,” she said.
Each year, people donate strong, durable toys, and Johnson and her family wrap and deliver them to law enforcement K9s on Christmas Eve. The toy drive has grown significantly over the past nine years. Emma’s Toy Drive has delivered toys to all over the First Coast as well as across the United States, including the Maui Police Department and the New York Police Department.
“It’s honestly been so cool to watch it grow,” Johnson said. She said she wants it to keep growing so they can support more K9s.
Johnson said that she wanted to start the toy drive as a way to thank K9s for all they do for the community. Her mom, Debbie Johnson, started a nonprofit called K9s United after K9 Baron was tragically killed in the line of duty. The nonprofit seeks to help K9 teams have access to the equipment and training they need to keep the community safe. K9s United has helped nearly 500 agencies in 49 states. The nonprofit has also trained more than 2,000 K9 officers and EMS professionals. More than $2 million worth of equipment has been donated as well.
K9s United helped introduce the Leo K9 Protection Act with Congressman Aaron Bean. This act is named after a fallen K9 named Leo and will add stronger penalties for harming federal K9s and allow life-saving medical care if it passes.
Johnson said the easiest way to help spread holiday joy to K9s is by donating a toy from the nonprofit’s chewy wish list.
“Everything ships straight to us, and then my family and I wrap each toy and deliver them on Christmas Eve. The K9s get so excited — it’s the best thing,” Johnson said. She said the community can also support K9s United by joining the K9 corps or by contacting local representatives about the Leo K9 Protection Act.
Johnson said that she wants people to remember the K9s who work hard to keep the community safe.
“Even one donated toy can make a huge difference,” she said. “It makes the dogs happy and reminds their handlers how much the community cares.”
To donate, go to https://www.chewy.com/g/k9s-united_b139549812. To learn more about K9s United, go to https://www.k9sunited.org.
