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Public Safety and Security students to create smiles for a child

Students in the King  Career Center's Public Safety and Security class are conducting a community  service project that pairs them with the Palmer Correctional Center in Sutton,  Alaska. The project, called Smiles for a Child, will benefit children in need  during the holiday season.

During this  Thanksgiving weekend, students along with their instructor Teena Calkin, will  be at the Simon 5th Avenue Mall in downtown Anchorage collecting new, unwrapped  toys. The donations will be given to more than 100 children of incarcerated  inmates at Palmer Correctional Center.

"Incarcerated  parents are usually unable to give their child a gift at Christmas," said  Calkin. The students in this criminal justice class are working with the  correctional facility in hopes that they can bring a smile to a child during  the holiday season.

Last year's second  annual drive was a huge success thanks to the many people, businesses,  charitable organizations and local and national retailers. However, due to the  economic downturn, the group is receiving fewer donations this year from local  and national retailers.

In addition to  gifts, the class also is accepting donations to cover the cost of postage to  ship the items to children statewide.

New, unwrapped gifts  may be dropped off at the 5th Avenue Mall, first floor near the 6th  Avenue entrance. The student booth will be open at the following times:

  Friday, Nov. 2: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
  Saturday, Nov. 26: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  Sunday, Nov. 27: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.