Fairfax County Police are asking McLean-area families to help fill a cruiser with backpacks, notebooks and crayons for children affected by crime — and donors get a shot at a $500 gift card.

The department's Stuff-A-Cruiser event returns to PenFed Plaza at Tysons Corner Center on Friday, Aug. 14, from noon to 3 p.m. Donations go directly to kids served by FCPD's Victim Services Division, which provided support to 456 child victims and witnesses in 2025, according to an FCPD announcement in November 2025.

Fairfax County Public Schools open for the 2026–27 year on Monday, Aug. 24, just 10 days after the drive.

Tysons Corner Center is partnering with FCPD on the event, according to the mall's announcement. Families can meet officers, tour a police cruiser and help load it with supplies. Activities for kids include crafts, live music, games, face painting and glitter tattoos.

What to bring

Suggested donations include backpacks, notebooks, folders, crayons, markers, pencils, pens, glue, highlighters and gift cards to Target, Walmart or Giant. Anyone who donates will be entered to win a $500 gift card to a Tysons Corner Center retailer.

Who it helps

The Victim Services Division, part of FCPD's Major Crimes Bureau, provides free support, advocacy and resources to adults and children affected by crime and trauma across Fairfax County. Director Saly Fayez told the Fairfax Times in August 2023 that the division's back-to-school effort provided new backpacks, supplies and first-day outfits to 154 children that year.

"Our hope is to give these children the confidence to start the school year without the shame and often fear that comes from not having what the other kids have," Fayez said at the time.

The McLean District Station is partnering with SHARE of McLean to collect non-perishable food donations at the station through Sept. 30, Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman noted on X.

More information about the Aug. 14 event is available at tysonscornercenter.com/BackToSchool.