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The first toys collected as part of the "Give a Toy, Get a Smile" project were distributed at the Institute for Rehabilitation Republic of Slovenia on 11 December 2008. Out of over 20 tonnes of toys collected to bring a smile to the faces of at least 100,000 children, the police have collected 2,340 kg or almost 15,000 toys.

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Janez Rupnik and Marija Mikulan, both employed at the Uniformed Police Directorate at the General Police Administration, gave the toys to the patients at the Institute for Rehabilitation Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the Slovenian police.

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The "Give a Toy, Get a Smile" project lasted from 15 October to 30 November 2008. Members of the police force gladly accepted the invitation of the initiators of the project, organised by the Red Cross of Slovenia and the Petrol company, and in mid-November organised a collection of toys by almost 10,000 employees in the 11 police administrations and the General Police Administration.

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Janez Rupnik:"Collecting toys in the time before the holiday season made for a special atmosphere within the police force and filled us with a feeling that in this way we were also contributing to the implementation of the rights of the child."

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When the collection was completed, the toys were sent to central storage where they were sorted and cleaned to be delivered to the Red Cross and distributed to children in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro through regional centres in co-operation with the Red Cross from respective countries.

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The management of the police would like to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to all participants in this action for their outstanding response. Through modest actions we have achieved a great deal. The donated toys will certainly give joy to many children living in difficult conditions and bring happiness to them during the holidays.

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