York City Police holiday gift buying event for kids brings Christmas
York City Police Lt. Orazio Riccobono describes the inaugural event to bring holiday shopping to kids. Watch Keimoni Hughes shop for her family.
The York City Police Holiday of Giving was created to bring Christmas magic to 11 city youths. The program came together just in time for Christmas for its first run.
According to York City Police Lieutenant Orazio Riccobono, the department found funding in different budgets at the end of the year and decided to do something special for the community.
Eleven children who visit various York City resource centers regularly were chosen to go on a buying spree with an officer and spend up to $200 for anyone they wanted to give a gift or for themselves Riccobono said.
Burlington Stores in West Manchester Township sold rebated gift cards for the event, according to Marc Scholl, with Burlington.
Keimoni Hughes, 10, raced through the isles asking Officer Jonathan Hatterer, with department therapy dog Reacher in tow, for advice as she shopped for her family members. Hatterer kept a tally of purchases, pushed the shopping cart, and offered some advice along the way.
“This is my first time giving gifts for Christmas…” Hughes said.
The department hopes to attract outside funding for the program next Christmas, according to Riccobono.
“It’s a special time of year, and I think everyone should be part of it, and if we can do a little bit more, each and every one of us at the end of the day, when you go home, you have a smile on your own face,” Riccobono said.