Presents with Police
This upcoming Saturday, December 6, may seem like an ordinary Saturday to most people. A lot of us no doubt will be getting ready for Christmas, putting lights on the house, or shopping to get all of our presents ready to give to family and friends (except for those delivered by Santa Claus of course). This time of year is always special for so many of us; a time where we are able to reconnect with family and friends, share laughs and stories, and exchange gifts. It is also a time where for some, unfortunately, they are not able to partake in the sharing of gifts or spend time with family and friends. For 70 children though, it will be a truly special day. For the last nine years, one of our own, Officer Jeremy DeMello, has been organizing Presents with Police, an incredibly amazing event.
Children of various ages, from the local area, are paired up with officers from the New Bedford Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Dartmouth Police Department, and other neighboring cities and towns who then shop with the children for one hour. A gift card is provided for the children, which they use to shop for gifts, and more often than not the officers partnered up with them also use their own money to shop for the children as well. Some of the officers also bring their own children, to share in doing something special for someone and bring a little warmth during the holiday season.
The smiles on their faces, knowing that they can buy presents not only for themselves, but for parents, grandparents, siblings, and sometimes friends, is truly something special to see. Their smiles are so bright they light up a room at the end of the day, and knowing that we are able to provide some happiness during what can sometimes be a difficult time is something that brings joy to all of us as well. We want to thank Officer DeMello for organizing this event year after year, and for allowing us to partake in making someone’s Christmas Day a little more special. This event is truly something special, and it takes a special person to put it all together, along with the various partners and agencies, to bring holiday cheer to the lives of young children.
Thank you again Officer DeMello for putting this event together and making the holiday season for so many children much more special.
Respectfully submitted,
Officer Lorenzo Gonzalez III
NBPU President
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