Cops surprise 40 kids with Christmas gifts
Members of Tuscora FOP Lodge # 4 deliver Christmas gifts to a family in New Philadelphia.
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Dec. 23, 2024) – Forty kids will have a brighter holiday after having gifts delivered to their homes in a caravan of police cruisers.
Around a dozen law enforcement vehicles packed with presents left the New Philadelphia Police Station just after 9 am to brighten the holidays for 15 local families. Dover and New Phila Police, the sheriff’s office, highway patrol and other local law enforcement agencies participated in Saturday’s Christmas with a Cop convoy that Co-Chair Bob Everett believes was the biggest yet.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal that we have this many law enforcement officers and agencies here to make Christmas a lot brighter for a number of youngsters and families in Tuscarawas County.”
WJER joined Everett and other local FOP members on Saturday as they traveled through New Philadelphia spreading holiday cheer.
Members of FOP Tuscora Lodge # 4 pose for a photo before heading out in a caravan of police cruisers to surprise 40 kids with Christmas gifts.
“We owe so much to our residents, our businesses and those who have donated to make all of this possible. We’re basically just the delivery people. If it wasn’t for our folks that made the donations, we couldn’t do any of this.”
The convoy then continued into Dover, up to Bolivar, through the Twin Cities, and elsewhere in the county, delivering bags stuffed with presents to 15 homes in all. The FOP has been doing this each December for five years now, although New Philadelphia Post Sergeant Bill Bower was participating for the first time.
“This is the first year that I’ve actually been able to have the privilege to come out and be a part of this great project that they put together going out and delivering these presents. I just look forward to the couple of hours that we’ll be out and going to the houses and making some kids happy today.”
Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Sergeant Bryan Patrick was happy to take time out of his Saturday for such a worthwhile cause.
“We’re out here to make people’s days, too, and I know some people don’t feel that way so I’m hoping that seeing all the cruisers delivering presents to kids and families that could use the help will show us in a different light.”
MWCD Ranger Supervisor Luke Pace was excited to participate in Saturday’s deliveries after having to miss the previous ones because of scheduling conflicts.
“The shopping day was quite an experience and kind of eye-opening not only how much we had to buy but how many families need help in the area so it’s a good thing. I’m glad I can help out and be part of it.”
Donations to support the program are accepted year-round at local law enforcement agencies and by mail to FOP Tuscora Lodge # 4 to PO Box 2 in Dover.