LA VERGNE, Tenn. – The Grinch’s latest attempt to steal Christmas came to a lighthearted end on Murfreesboro Road this weekend when officers with the La Vergne Police Department “arrested” him during a community toy drive hosted by Sonic. Fortunately for local children, the stolen toys were quickly recovered — and the Christmas spirit remained alive and well.

The playful arrest was part of a community-wide toy drive held at the Sonic on Murfreesboro Road, where customers donated new, unwrapped toys and cash to benefit the City of La Vergne’s annual Christmas Toy Store program. Throughout the event, Sonic employees helped spread holiday cheer while encouraging customers to support children and families in need.

Cash donations collected during the drive will be used to purchase additional toys in areas where donations remain limited.

The La Vergne Christmas Toy Store provides toys to local families who may be struggling during the holiday season, helping ensure every child in the community has a joyful Christmas. While registration for this year’s program has now closed, residents can still support the effort for a limited time through online wish lists available on Amazon and Walmart.

City staff expressed appreciation for the overwhelming generosity shown by the community.

“We’re grateful to Sonic and to every person who has donated time, services, money, or toys,” said Amber Hakanson, executive assistant with the La Vergne Police Department and the coordinator of the Christmas Toy Store. “This program is successful because our community comes together year after year to make sure La Vergne kids feel the joy of Christmas.”

Several organizations and individuals have played a key role in the success of both the 2025 La Vergne Christmas Toy Store and the recent Thanksgiving Food Drive Thru. Those supporters include:

Ascend Federal Credit Union, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Coca-Cola, Fraternal Order of Police, Grace Church, International Association of Fire Fighters, La Vergne Community Church, La Vergne Fire and Rescue Department, La Vergne Mini Storage, Life of Christian Ministries, Margarita House, Mission BBQ, Motorola, Rey Collazo, Sonic, and Trinidad Benham.

City officials say community partnerships like these make it possible to bring holiday cheer to hundreds of La Vergne families each year.