Philadelphia 14th police district spreads holiday cheer

GERMANTOWN (WPVI) -- Santa and his Philadelphia 14th police district helpers rolled up with lights and sirens guiding their way, to surprise needy children on Christmas Day.

They arrived early Monday morning to sort through toys, food and clothing that would be given away, with joy in their hearts, looking forwarding to hearing the little ones scream 'yay!'

"I was so worried that my daughter was going to be a little left out, I didn't have the best situation and I was like she doesn't have any gifts to open up. And you guys, you just showed up with everything," parent Michelle Ginyard told the officers said.

"It was amazing, just the smiles on their faces; the light from just being excited and being happy makes me happy," parent Luvinia Henderson-Gosley said.

When the sleigh arrived at stop number two, a little boy could not be blue, with gifts of a toy truck, football, and sneakers to boot.

"We just wanted to show a little support for you and your grandson. We know it isn't much, but we hope it warms your heart," Officer Dennis Smith told the grandmother said.

The presents are donations from the community, businesses across Germantown, and the police,

including clothing and fresh food for the families, to feed them for the entire week.

"It is important to us that they see police in a different light, not coming to arrest somebody, but to help the community, and supply some of their needs," Rondal 'Santa' Couser said.

The gratitude was evident in family members' cheer - and in the smiles, tears, and prayers for the upcoming year.

"I didn't realize, I just thought Santa was going to come and say Merry Christmas and give a gift or two, I wasn't expecting all this," parent Dana Matthews said.

The 14th district holiday tradition has spanned more than a decade of delivering gifts to kids in need, this year helping 13, ranging in ages from 1 to 16.

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