Kindness in Action: Hilliard’s 'Cram the Cruiser' Brings Needed Warmth

Hilliard police and community deliver hundreds of winter essentials to students and local food pantries in holiday tradition.

The Hilliard Division of Police, through its annual “Cram the Cruiser” event, delivered hundreds of winter coats, gloves, scarves, boots, and other winter-weather clothes Dec. 9 at Hilliard Crossing Elementary School.

The winter-weather clothes will be distributed to students in need of it at all schools in the Hilliard City Schools district.

Hilliard Police Chief Michael Woods hands out coats to students Dec. 9 at Hilliard Crossing Elementary School. The coats and other winter-weather clothing will be distributed to students throughout the district

This is the sixth year Hilliard police have coordinated the event with the support of residents.

“This annual holiday tradition in Hilliard has grown enormously thanks to the generosity of so many residents, businesses, and organizations in the Hilliard community,” Hilliard Police Chief Michael Woods said.

“We take pride knowing this event ensures every child in Hilliard who needs a coat in Hilliard will get one,” Woods said.

Hilliard Recreation and Parks Director Ed Merritt, Hilliard Lt. Tyler Harris, and Hilliard Lt. Ron Clark (pictured from the left) hand out coats Dec. 9 at Hilliard Crossing Elementary School. The winter-weather clothing was collected during the past month from community donations and will be distributed to students throughout the school district.

Police received donations at the Hilliard Safety Services Building, the Hilliard Municipal Building and the Hilliard Community Center though Dec. 1 and ended the annual campaign the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting Dec. 1 at Hilliard’s Station Park.

Woods and several police officers personally delivered the coats and other clothing from a caravan of police cruisers Dec. 9 at Hilliard Crossing Elementary School.

In addition to the winter-weather clothes donated to the school district, the program funds donations to the Hilliard Food Pantry and each of the food pantries at Hilliard Bradley, Darby, and Davidson high schools.

Sgt. Kris Settles, Chief Michael Woods, Officer Mike Deaton, Deputy Chief Ron Clark, Lt. Tyler Harris. And, from the recreation and parks department, Director Ed Merritt and Kristan Turner stand behind our Hilliard students!

Hilliard’s Cram the Cruiser is sponsored by Amazon Web Services, Credit Union of Ohio, Mayco Colors, and Painter & Associates.