The gift of an early Christmas
It’s the season of giving and area police departments are taking it to heart.
On Saturday, West Pottsgrove Police, with the help of Red Corner Benefit, East Vincent, West Vincent, Douglass (Mont.), Upper Gwynedd and Upper Pottsgrove police departments, brought a day of Christmas cheer to a local child suffering from cancer.
Railyn Dami, along with her mother Victoria and brother Carson, got to experience a day free from the obstacles of cancer and instead enjoy a day just for them.
“A few years ago the West Pottsgrove Police Department came up with an idea for No Shave November. That initiative was to help people who were suffering in silence. Our first year we donated to an officer who was lost to Agent Orange. After that we adopted pediatric cancer, to speak for little guys and girls who don’t have a voice in this matter,” explained West Pottsgrove Police Chief Matthew Stofflet.
And that voice has made an impression.
After Railyn and her family had a chance to interact with a whole petting zoo of animals that were brought to the police station just for them, the group moved
inside the station where a lit Christmas tree accented with an overflowing pile of gifts awaited Railyn. Before she began tearing through her Christmas gifts, officers presented her mother Victoria with $3,000 as the Red Corner Benefit followed with an additional check.
“The funds are raised through the police department. Each officer donates $25-$50. Most of the police associations match those funds. We’ve had multiple agencies involved this year,” said Stofflet.
This is the fourth year the West Pottsgrove Police Department has organized this event and with each year, the joy felt by the group only continues to grow.
“It’s amazing. To watch these children who just have to endure and have to go through all these tests — to give them a day of nothing but fun and gifts and laughs. Just for one day they can forget what that feels like, it’s the greatest gift,” Stofflet said.