Franklin Police Lead Toy Drive in Memory of Good Samaritans

FRANKLIN, TN — During the winter storm of February 16, 2015, Kristi Clark and her 10-year-old son Carter Oakley left their car to help five people trapped in an overturned SUV on a treacherous, ice-covered stretch of Interstate 65 in Franklin. Clark and Oakley were hit and killed by a semi.

Clark's parents, Brad and Bonnie Lewis, have stayed in touch with the Franklin Police in the nearly two years since and that connection has resulted in a project aimed at honoring the memory of their late family members.

Mr. Lewis, a skilled wordworker, built 10 wooden toy boxes and donated them to the Franklin Police Department, which will fill them and donate the toys to Franklin families in need.

“Kristi and Carter’s lives were cut short while they were helping others,” said Chief Deborah Faulkner. “We are now honored to help others in their memory.”

Citizens can bring a new, unwrapped toy for children up to 12-years-old and leave it in the toy box in the Franklin Police Headquarters Lobby. New toy donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Monetary donations are unable to be accepted.

Image via Franklin Police