GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Green Cove Springs Police Department put out their own "911 call" to Hope Chessel when they had trouble collecting toys for their annual “Caroling Around the Cove.”

While she didn’t respond with a siren blasting or lights flashing, she helped save a Christmas tradition for lots of children in the city.

“She heard we had next to nothing as far as toys, so she created an Amazon link on her Facebook page and the toys just started coming in,” said officer Jose Lee. “We were able to get a lot of toys for the children. She’s always doing things like that for our community.”

Her tireless and selfless work around Green Cove Springs was recognized Tuesday night by Green Cove Springs Police Chief E.J. Guzman and the City Council with a special proclamation.

Lee said Chessel also helped the department when it was overwhelmed with stray dogs. GCSPD often picks up dogs and holds them until the owners recover them, or Clay County Animal Services pick them up.

“We were at a point where we didn’t have any bedding, food, treats, or stuff like that,” he said. “She came in, and we started getting deliveries just in time. That made a big difference.”

In other business, the council unanimously approved the first reading of annexing the 23.37-acre property and the empty Truemont building on the corners of U.S. Highway 17 and State Road 16. The second and final reading will be at either the next council meeting on April 16 or during May.

The council also approved the first reading to change its Form-Based Code in the downtown area from LED to soft lights to create pedestrian-oriented public realm areas.

The Green Cove Springs City Council meets at City Hall on the first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m.