York police go ho, ho, ho with Christmas gift project for 19 families

Christmas arrived Wednesday for Rondrevia Simpson and her five children, thanks to the York Police Department.

It came for 18 other families, too.

Wrapped packages, stuffed stockings and a bag of groceries were delivered to Simpson’s York home by police Lt. Dale Edwards and a volunteer, Melanie Thomas.

“I’m 23 with five kids, so it’s not going to be easy,” Simpson said as her two older children helped Edwards place the gifts under her Christmas tree. “But it means a lot to my kids.”

York police provided gifts and food to 19 families, including Simpson’s, with about 40 children. The entire department teamed up to work on the holiday effort, with each of four patrol shifts and the detective division adopting one or more families and Edwards and Thomas adopting five.

“Everyone pitched in and did something,” said Police Chief Andy Robinson.

Robinson said the department’s Christmas project, in its fifth year, is larger than it has ever been. He said the project is part of the department’s community policing effort to spread goodwill among residents.

“We are trying to foster help with children early, so that hopefully they will grow up respecting law enforcement,” Robinson said.

He said recipients included families referred by the York school district or those who missed the deadline to get help from Tender Hearts Ministries. Others were people who police knew could use the help.

Money for the project came from donations and from a volunteer “Bagging for Tips” event last month at Bi-Lo grocery, where 15 officers bagged food and raised more than $900.

John Perrine, 71, of York, brought his wife’s 5-year-old grandson, Colin McCoy, to pick up the family’s gifts at the police station.

Colin’s face lit up when he saw one of his gifts, a new bicycle with training wheels.

“He’s going to have something he wouldn’t have had,” said Perrine. “It’s wonderful, and I appreciate it very much.”

Thomas said handing out the gifts to families is a fun day. “This is what Christmas is about,” she said. “To see a child smile over a bike, that was priceless.”

Sandra Smith, 48, said the project helps provide gifts for her 13-year-old son, who lost his father in July to cancer. Smith said she has a good relationship with York police.

“Just being there for us,” she said, referring to Edwards. “It’s awesome.”

Leesa Nance, 32, of York, said she is unemployed with four children, ages 2, 5, 6 and 8.

Without the help from York police, “I would just be sitting at home and my kids would not have anything for Christmas,” Nance said. “It means a lot to me. I appreciate everything they do for me.”

Families submitted requests for their children. Thomas said one mother asked only for clothing.

“It’s sad when a mom asks, please let us get clothes, we need clothes,” Thomas said.

She said the department provided not only clothes for each child in that family, but board games and a bicycle or scooter for each child.

Robinson said the project brings a lot of joy.

“This is what makes it all worthwhile,” Robinson said as families picked up their gifts. “I just wish we could see some of the kids’ faces on Christmas, when they open it. That would be icing on the cake.”

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 8:23 PM with the headline "York police go ho, ho, ho with Christmas gift project for 19 families."