Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School Families to Benefit from Community Outreach Effort   

BALTIMORE, MD (December 22, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) Police Force will be bringing the spirit of giving to Baltimore residents today at the 20th annual Adopt-A-Family Holiday celebration. MDOT MTA police officers, assisted by Santa and Mrs. Claus, will deliver gifts and meal vouchers to the homes of selected families attending Fallstaff Elementary/Middle School.

“Being able to share the spirit of the holiday with those we protect and serve every day is one of the high points of the year for the MDOT MTA Police Force,” said Acting Police Chief Major Jerome Howard. “This event could not take place if it weren’t for the generosity of the men and women who volunteer their time and their own funds to make this happen.”

For the last 19 years, MDOT MTA Police officers have made the holiday season come alive by providing gifts for children and adults at Adopt-a-Family gatherings held at local schools during the holiday season. Each year, well-connected members of the force enlist Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and elves to distribute toys to children and gift cards for meals to adults. The effort is just one of a series of community outreach volunteer programs by MDOT MTA Police that include the Polar Bear Plunge and Torch Run for Special Olympics of Maryland, the Book Bag Giveaway before the start of school each year, and, among other efforts, participation in National Night Out, a community safety education program.

This year and last year, due to COVID-19 protocols, MDOT MTA Police have been continuing the tradition by delivering gifts directly to selected families in lieu of an in-person event. Since the program’s inception, MDOT MTA Police officers have adopted more than 200 families in Baltimore.

MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. As a participating agency in APTA’s Health and Safety Commitment Program, MDOT MTA is dedicated to keeping our employees and passengers safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, visit https://www.mta.maryland.gov or check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland, YouTube.com/TheMTAMaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

Media Contacts
Brittany Marshall
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 443-970-0424
bmarshall1@mdot.maryland.gov

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov

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