Philadelphia police pack Thanksgiving meals for community

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Thanksgiving provides a great opportunity to build bridges between the police and members of the community who need a little bit of help around the holidays.

Just like many Philadelphia police operations, this one takes planning and teamwork. But this time, don't forget the turkey.

Operation Thanksgiving was underway at Philadelphia police headquarters. This year their employees collected $13,000 to provide thanksgiving meals to 420 city families.

Commissioner Richard Ross said, "This is a time of thanksgiving, a time to be grateful. A time of blessings."

Captain John Wilczynski, Commanding Officer of Victims Services and Community Relations said, "The police feel good about it, and the families are always very receptive."

The turkey, stuffing, and plenty of fixings, the ingredients to warm hundreds of bellies with a traditional thanksgiving meal.

With volunteers from across the districts, the command staff, created an assembly line, filling boxes and piling them up to be distributed to families in need.

"We are about community, we are about sharing and collaboration, we are about helping those who need help, and that's the cornerstone why we exist," Commissioner Ross said.

Each of the boxes is finished with a new note from the police department saying "They are grateful for the trust put in them to be ambassadors and guardians of public safety."

One van was packed up, bound for the 18th district, meal after meal for families delivered by Community relations Officers Davis and Durham.

Officer Nina Durham of the18th District said, "There are families in our area, some of the children just don't have anything."

Officer Michael Davis, also from the 18th District added, "There are so many people who are less fortunate and they're wondering where their next meal is coming from so it's a great joy and a pleasure."

Another delivery to a West Philadelphia home was received by a grateful Daniel Trawick, who looks forward to sharing it with his wife, and their 11 Children.

"People just giving back their time, their resources, and the things they've been blessed with, is a blessing for everyone," he said.

----------

Send a breaking news alert
Report a correction or typo
Learn more about the 6abc apps