There were a lot of happy children Saturday at the annual St. Tammany Toys for Tots toy giveaway, thanks to Slidell police, Fire District 1 firefighters, the Knights of Columbus Council 2732 and the Slidell Newcomers Club.

Needy children in the area were recipients of over 100 brand new bicycles thanks to the first annual Battle of the Badges drive to get toys and money for the St. Tammany Toys for Tots.

Toys for Tots Director Carol Stark came up with the idea of a contest between police and firefighters to see who could raise the most for her organization. She called it the Battle of the Badges, and it was a huge success.

Members of the Slidell Police Department, Knights of Columbus Council 2732, the Slidell Newcomers Club, and St. Tammany Toys for Tots are surrounded by the 50 bicycles that donations from the police, Newcomers Club and Knights of Columbus bought for the Toys for Tots organization. From left are police officers Jason Seals, Jeff Kahrs, and Daniel Seuzemeau; Kaki DiCarlo with Slidell Newcomers Club; Jim Grady of the Knights of Columbus; Toys for Tots President Carol Stark, Slidell Police Chief Freddie Drennan, Capt. Kevin Foltz; K of C members Ed Barber and Frank Ragusa; officer Clint MaCall, K of C member Mickey Liner, Capt. Kevin Swann of the SPD and member of the K of C; Capt. Kevin O'€™Neil, officer Chad Olivier, and reserve officer Samuel Hernandez. (Staff Photo by Erik Sanzenbach)

The Slidell Police Department won by collecting $3,800, which went to the purchase of over 80 bicycles. Fire District 1 was able to raise enough money to buy 13 bikes for the toy giveaway.

Under the guidance and prodding of Slidell policeman Capt. Kevin Foltz, the department was able to donate $900.

Then they got donations of $1,200 from the Slidell Newcomers Club, $500 from Knights of Columbus Council 2732, and $1,000 from Don and Oksun Barfield.

“This is just amazing,” Stark said as she looked over all the donated bikes parked behind the Slidell Police headquarters on Third Street.

Foltz said that after purchasing the bikes, they had a hard time storing them.

“We ended up storing them all over police headquarters,” Foltz said.

The captain’s only regret was he couldn’t find certain children’s vehicles.

“We couldn’t find tricycles anywhere,” Foltz said. The police had to make do with a lot of tiny bikes with trainer wheels.

Saturday morning at Slidell High School, the bikes and other toys were given out to deserving children.