The mission given to 40 Watertown police officers and firefighters Tuesday morning was to fill boxes full of gifts, and then deliver them to more than 150 families around the Community.
They had their choice of hundreds of toys, games, balls, even bicycles that filled the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station. All were donated to or purchased with funds given to the John “Sonny” Whooley Foundation, named after a former Watertown Police officer who would raise money and give it to families in need during the holidays.
Watertown Police Justin Chief Hanrahan looked over the hive of activity as people packed boxes with gifts.
“It is amazing. Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” Hanrahan said. “It’s not a one day effort. It goes on for months, all the planning that’s involved. It’s pretty amazing, actually”
Police Lt. Ken Swift, who spearheads the effort, said as of Tuesday morning the list of families receiving gifts was 158 families and 360 children.
The families are identified in a number of ways, including police officers responding to calls.
“Part of our job is to connect with the community and help the community. That’s our main job,” Hanrahan said. “We have a lot of interactions with families that are in need, probably more so than any other department or any other entity, so we are able to identify families that are struggling and most people become cops because they want to help — that’s why they do this job — and there is no better way to help someone.”
Jaimie Swift, one of the Watertown Public Schools Community Outreach Counselors and Ken’s sister, said the Schools create a list of families who will have trouble affording a meal at Thanksgiving. The Whooley Foundation delivered full meals to 85 families last month, with help from donations from local businesses.
Throughout the year, the Watertown Police, Watertown Fire Department identify people who need assistance. They also receive help from groups including the Watertown Housing Authority, the Watertown Boys & Girls Club and Grace Chapel.
Ken Swift has been organizing the Whooley Foundation’s effort for the last few years along with Watertown Police School Resource Officer Kerry Kelley. He took over when David Collins retired from the WPD.
“When I started, Dave — he is the (Whooley Foundation) president — Dave was really fundamental with the development of this,” Swift said. “I got to work with Dave for a long time. His spirit wore off on me.”
While Collins has retired, he still remains very involved in the Whooley Foundation. He worked with Whooley, and helped establish the foundation after Whooley’s passing. This is the 34th year he has been part of the effort.
“It originally started when Whooley was alive. He would gather money from people. He would give cash to families — he didn’t shop, he just went out and gave money. It was all donations from friends and family members,” Collins said. “So, upon his death, there was so much outpouring of giving and money. His brother Bobby said, ‘I have all this money. We need to do something with it.’ So, we started the Whooley Foundation.”
In 2005, the Whooley Foundation became a registered non-profit organization with the help of Watertown attorney Tim McGoldrick. He had some connections to Whooley.
“I played youth hockey in town with Whooley’s son, and and (Watertown Fire Lt.) Robby Mannix was my best friend growing up. His stepfather was Bob Who0ley, Sonny’s brother,” McGoldrick recalled. “So that’s how I got to know the Whooley family.”
The Foundation has considered holding fund raiser events, but never has because the community has been generous. McGoldrick said that people are always looking for somewhere to give.
Collins said that each year the outpouring from the community grows.
“People know we give back everything we get: every penny, every toy we get,” Collins said “We have to pay a $25 filing fee every year with the Secretary of State and that’s our only expense. Timmy does everything for free, with the taxes and legal work. Everybody donates their time and everything goes back to the community. That’s the best part.”
The Whooley Foundation Board of Directors sent out a letter of thanks recognizing those who contributed to the Toy Drive in 2024. The list includes:
Watertown Police Association, Watertown Police Supervisors Association, Watertown Firefighters Union, Watertown Recreation Department, Watertown Housing, Watertown Public Schools, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Toyota of Watertown, Marine Corps League, Watertown Savings Bank and its Employees, G. M. Walsh Plumbing & Family, Partners Health, Arsenal Yards, The Sevene Family, The Commander’s Mansion, The Miller-Tracy Foundation, Donohue’s Bar and Grille, The Costello Family, Grace Chapel, Who-Lee Foundation, The Chaisson Family Foundation, The Amvets, The Irish American Police Officers Association, Watertown Business Coalition, Rotary Club of Watertown, Whoville Foundation, Watertown Council on Aging, Akian Plumbing, Express Tire, Bar’Cino Restaurant, Waltham Triad Lodge, Boston Gold Kings, Craig’s Kempo Karate, Target, St. John’s Lodge – Boston, Christmas Morning Angels, Bethesda Lodge of Watertown, Tim Real and Fidelity Charitable, Dyer and Moscato Families, Enata Pharmaceuticals, Hampton Inn, C4 Therapeutics, Watertown Community Foundation, Bob and Kim Airasian.