Malone Center gives $25,000 check to LPD for holiday donations to Lincoln families

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Malone Center and the Lincoln Police Department partnered this holiday season for the Random Acts of Kindness program.

On Thursday, the center gave LPD a $25,769 check, which will be distributed to over 100 families in the coming weeks.

The money will be divided into $300 portions for each family.

John Goodwin, executive director of the Malone Center, said it’s all about making sure people have the means to give gifts for the holidays.

“You just don’t know where people are and what they need,” he said. “So receiving $300, no matter if it’s from the police, me or Santa Claus, it’s exciting and it’s touching.”

The money was acquired through private donors from across the state.

Capt. Tarvis Banks with LPD said the event shows how the community and police can work together in a peaceful, fun way that gives back to Lincoln families.

“Usually we contact people during the worst times of their lives, so it’s a good opportunity for us to meet people where it’s a casual conversation and we’re actually giving them monetary donations,” he said. “It’s an exciting time, especially around the holiday season.”

The partnership between the Malone Center and LPD began in 2020 following the George Floyd protests.

The Random Acts of Kindness program was put on pause during the pandemic, but officials are hoping to do it annually.