This year Santa received an assist from elves dressed in blue uniforms rather than the traditional green attire – a story that surfaced by happenstance.
On Christmas Eve, three cartons full of wrapped gifts destined for three children in need left the Avondale barracks, the work of more than two dozen troopers concerned about a 6-year-old crime victim.
Police issued no press release, and the effort would have likely remained under the radar if a reporter hadn’t inquired about another matter, eliciting a passing reference to it. When questioned, Trooper Samantha L. Minnucci, the barrack’s community services officer, explained the origin of the outreach.
Like many area law-enforcement personnel, troopers at the Avondale barracks have had trouble letting go of images generated by the Nov. 4 death of Scotty McMillan, a red-headed 3-year-old who lived in West Caln Township, Minnucci said. Prosecutors said the boy was tortured and beaten in the trailer he shared with his mother, Jillian Tait; her boyfriend, Gary Lee Fellenbaum; Fellenbaum’s estranged wife, Amber Fellenbaum; and Scotty’s 6-year-old brother.
Tait and Gary Fellenbaum are facing the death penalty for their alleged brutality. Amber Fellenbaum faces felony charges for allegedly failing to prevent or report the abuse, which authorities say occurred over several days.
Minnucci said at the beginning of December, she had a conversation with Tammy Ortega, who works with the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Inc., and also happens to be the mother of a state trooper. Minnucci said Ortega - echoing the sentiments of many at the barracks - wondered aloud whether the barracks could make sure the surviving 6-year-old had presents to unwrap on Christmas Day.
“I thought it was a great idea,” Minnucci said, adding that her supervisor agreed. She said she was told: “Make it happen.”
Minnucci said she sent out an email, and her colleagues quickly dug into their wallets, contributing from $20 to $100 each. While attempting to schedule a delivery date for the gifts, Minnucci said she learned that two other children unrelated to the McMillan case were in need, and so they were added to the gift list.
By the time Minnucci and Ortega arrived at the Walmart in Kennett Square last week, they had collected $600, and Walmart added a $100 gift card to the cause. Minnucci said in addition to toys and books, she and Ortega purchased clothing and other essentials. “We got a little bit of everything,” she said, citing a range from novelty toothbrushes to toy trucks to pajamas.
Minnucci said a handful of troopers assisted with getting the bounty ready for delivery. In addition to being wrapped, some of the gifts were stuffed into stockings embroidered with PSP (Pennsylvania State Police).
Although MInnucci had hoped troopers could deliver the gifts personally, that option was not possible for confidentiality reasons since the children are in the custody of child protective services. Instead, a caseworker picked up three large cartons on Christmas Eve and applauded the effort, Minnucci said.
Minnucci said the police don’t know how the gifts were received, but don’t necessarily need that information. “We care about the community we serve,” she said. “We just wanted to make sure Christmas was a little brighter for these children.”
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...
Comments