Lexington police want to pass out 100,000 freeze pops this summer. How you can help.

Last year, Lexington Police Officer Ryan Holland kept children smiling all summer long when he helped collect 72,000 freeze pops to pass out throughout the summer.

He looks to build on that successful 2017 summer by collecting 100,000 of the frozen treats later this month.

"It's a really inexpensive way to give back to the community," Holland said in a Facebook post Thursday.

This year's Freeze Pop for Kids fundraiser will run from May 18-25 and the pops will be donated to summer camps, city pools and other youth events throughout the summer months.

Holland took to Facebook last year to get his message across about how he'd like to make a positive impact for the children in the city.

"“Who doesn’t like smiling kids???” Holland wrote. “These popsicles are for kids that are going to programs that are designed to keep them out of trouble and give them a positive outlook on some of their current situations. It also helps bridge a gap between police and the neighborhood! It helps us build relationships with these kids that will last for decades! So you see, it’s more than just a bag of popsicles that I (am) asking for. I’m asking you to help me make a positive impact on young people’s lives in the West end of Lexington.”

The public — including residents, businesses and organizations — responded in a big way, so much that the freeze pops were donated to several other locations besides just his initial intention at Douglass Park. Two deep freezers were also donated to store the pops.

Freeze pops can be donated at any Lexington Police roll call or its headquarters during regular business hours. The department prefers unfrozen pops in boxes, but any type will be accepted.

Monetary donations can be made online to the Lexington Police Foundation at https://www.lexpolicefoundation.org. The department asks the public to indicate "freeze pop fundraiser" in the comment section of the donation page.

Police Headquarters – 150 E. Main St.

West Sector Roll Call – 1795 Frankfort Pike

Central Sector Roll Call – 1020 Industry Road, Suite 40

East Sector Roll Call – 1165 Centre Parkway

This story was originally published May 17, 2018 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Lexington police want to pass out 100,000 freeze pops this summer. How you can help.."