TURNERS FALLS — About 25 years ago, former Montague Police Chief Ray Zukowski started a Christmas tradition that has been carried on by every chief and his staff since.
This year, the Montague Police Department is once again providing reindeer food to any family that wants it.
“When my kids were young, we went to a family Christmas bazaar and saw something similar,” Zukowski said. “I thought it would be great for us as police to carry it in our cruisers.”
Zukowski said the department made up its own version: a mixture of oatmeal donated by the Farren Care Center, in the early days, and glitter that police bought at a craft store.
“We got small plastic bags and started filling them,” he said. “Police would hand it out to children while on their beat, or kids and their families would come to the station.”
Zukowski said parents’ smiles have always been almost bigger than the children’s smiles.
“Everyone loved it,” he said. “It was our way of early community policing. I’m glad they’ve continue the tradition.”
Zukowski said he stopped at the station this week to get some for his nieces and nephews.
“The dispatchers are handing it out now,” he said. “Everyone who gets some is so appreciative. Parents explain to kids what it is and they seem to have a lot of fun with it. It’s so inexpensive and it goes a long way. It really makes people happy.”
Montague Police Chief Chris Williams said getting the little packets of reindeer food, along with a little card with a reindeer on it, seems to be a magical experience for local children.
“We go through a lot of it, it’s a hot commodity,” he said. “People pick it up right up until Christmas Eve. They leave it out, along with Santa’s milk and cookies, either with or instead of carrots. Younger children seem to like it the most.”
Williams said it has been done for as long as he can remember, and the department plans to carry it on for as long as people want it.
“Some parents pick it up and bring it home to their children, while others bring their children with them,” he said. “It’s pretty popular.”
Pick up your bag of reindeer food at the station on Turnpike Road before Christmas Eve night.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-0261, ext. 269 or afritz@recorder.com.