ENFIELD, CT — The Enfield Police Department's Toys For Joy drive is in full swing, and it received a boost Monday afternoon courtesy of an independent professional wrestling organization.

Blitzkrieg! Pro Wrestling, an Enfield-based promotion which runs periodic shows primarily at the Old Country Banquet Hall on Alden Avenue, teamed up with Limitless Wrestling, an independent promotion in southern Maine, for an action-packed sold-out show Saturday night. As an incentive for fans to bring unwrapped toys to benefit Toys For Joy, a free autograph or photo-op with former WWE/ECW superstar Little Guido was offered. "It was a great show and I was honored to help donate to a worthy cause, because no children shouldn't have a gift under the tree for Christmas," said Blitzkrieg! fan Larry Boucher, a regular at nearly every show put on by the promotion.



More than 50 toys were donated by fans, which in turn were delivered to the police department Monday by Blitzkrieg! promoter Jeremy Leary. Officers Paul Dubiel and Pete Nisyrios and Capt. Jeff Golden accepted the donation on behalf of Toys For Joy, which has been aiding Enfield families for nearly 60 years. "It's a really good feeling to have our weird and amazing world of independent professional wrestling have a positive impact on the town that welcomes us with such open arms," Leary said. "Thanks to every single one of you that was generous enough to bring a donation. Thank you to Limitless Wrestling, Little Guido and Connor Promotions for helping make this possible."

Dubiel said, "To quote a memo from the Office of the Chief of Police from November 23, 1979: "Through your good officers, you will carry on a tradition that has spanned two decades of providing gifts for Enfield's children during the Christmas season where, due to circumstances not of their making, they would otherwise be deprived of what other more fortunate children may take for granted." The Enfield Police Department to this day continues to carry on this tradition, and through the help of local businesses such as yours have been able to provide for children whose parents may have fallen on financial hardships."

Applications to receive assistance from Toys For Joy are available at the Enfield Police Department through Dec. 17.

Anyone still wishing to donate new, unwrapped toys to the drive, which is aimed at children from infants through age 8, will have several more opportunities. The police department will conduct its annual Stuff a Cruiser campaign in front of the Target store at Enfield Square on Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16. Donations may also be dropped off at the police department anytime prior to Dec. 17.