5th District Police host Back to School Giveaway

Just in time for the start of the school year, the 5th District Police, in conjunction with the Police District Advisory Council, recently hosted a “Back 2 School Giveaway” event inside their Ridge and Cinnaminson headquarters.

Tables were set up with the staples of school life (pens, pencils, paper, crayons, rulers, and backpacks to store them) each catering to the various age groups from lower elementary through middle school to the high school population. Members of the force and volunteers staffed the tables and were extremely generous in providing the youngsters with whatever supplies they would need to start the school year off on the right foot.

The Back 2 School Giveaway and other initiatives involving the local police and community have come about as a result of the vision of Captain Samantha Brown and the inroads that have been created in the past few years by Community Relations Officer Damian Caggiano. These amiable get-togethers sponsored by our friends in blue that show them as real people and caring members of our community continue to foster a positive relationship between those on the force and the neighborhoods in which they serve.

The PDAC supports Captain Brown and her initiatives by helping to organize and plan out community outreach events. Some of more recent happenings that were huge hits in the summer months have been barbecues at both Kendrick and Houston Rec Centers and designer bag bingo at St. John the Baptist Church.

Some of the PDAC members were instrumental in helping to carry out the school supplies giveaway, most notably Rosemary Jenners and Rich Wilczynski. They helped Captain Brown and her support team plan and organize the event. Many of the 5th District officers and PDAC members dipped into their own pockets to help fund the event.

Besides Capt. Brown and Officer Caggiano, several other personnel from the 5th pitched in at giveaway to help guarantee a

smooth operation and provide warm, friendly smiles as attendees browsed the tables. They included Lt. Ervin, Lt. Palumbo, and fellow Officers Mobley, Bryant, Bond, and Hall. Without their engaging personalities, the event wouldn’t have been half the success it was.

All in all, upwards of 150 youngsters took advantage of the school supplies giveaway that ceded as many backpacks. The majority of the families represented lower elementary age students, but there was a fair sampling across the age range.

In addition to a healthy serving of school incidentals, attendees were treated to free pizzas slices courtesy of our good neighbors at Juliana’s Restaurant in the Andorra Shopping Center. Please don’t tell anyone that I poached an extra slice for myself (it was SO good)!

PHOTOS BY RICK CAWLEY A sign on the 5th District lawn warmly welcomes attendees to the event.

Shawmont students Colin(9) and Charlotte (5) Gee, with parents Kim and Ryan, didn’t go home empty-handed.

Some of the 5th District officers and volunteers who helped make the event a huge success.

Oloriire Ayokunle, 10, with mom Suzzette Rink, loaded up on school supplies.

PHOTOS BY RICK CAWLEY Jerry Kosmin (left) and Kevin Williams of Juliana’s Restaurant cozy up with Officer Damian Caggiano.

Penn Charter student Kristian Athill, with mom Denia, took home an assortment of stationery.

Officer Damian Caggiano and PDAC volunteer Rosemary Jenners were vital cogs in event organizing.

A table displaying some of the 150 backpacks that were distributed.

Dobson first-grader Hazel Goins got a head start on her school year.