Officers swap police uniform for Santa hats, donate dozens

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s a dream come true for dozens of children: Officers from the 26th District held their annual Christmas party at The Fillmore for the kids they’ve sworn to protect and serve, complete with stocking stuffers and a new ride.

About 170 kids were selected from a dozen elementary schools in Fishtown, Kensington and Northern Liberties to attend the party.

“My teacher had a hat and she put all of the classroom's names in it and it said my name,” recalled second-grader Bella Flannigan. She and her Adaire Alexander schoolmate Gia McGuiggan tried to be patient as they waited to receive shiny new bikes.

"Can we keep them? What?” she said, surprised and elated. “So we can take them home? Like, right now, back to school? I need a training-wheel bike.”

These kids got the royal treatment, courtesy of officers such as John Massi, who was working undercover on this case — disguised as an elf, of course.

“It's to give back to the kids in the community and it's to partner with the children,” he explained. “This way they can see police in a different light, a more relaxed atmosphere and everything. The kids love it. They each get a bike, they all leave with a stocking stuffed with toys, a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and they have a good time with the different volunteers.”

Many of the volunteers are members of the 26th District community, like Emily Dones, community relations manager for Rivers Casino Philadelphia, a longtime partner of this event.

“Due to the business boom in Fishtown and all these new business owners coming in, there's a very philanthropic attitude that they all possess,” she said. “They want to support this event, not just financially but coming out here to volunteer.”