With sirens blasting and red and blue lights flashing, a law-enforcement caravan screamed down Routes 926 and 52 in Birmingham and Pennsbury Townships before heading south on Route 1 on Saturday. Its destination: the Walmart in East Marlborough.
The attention-getting entourage began the 20-minute drive from downtown West Chester about 9 a.m., prompting people to scurry outside from homes and businesses. Some onlookers looked up in alarm, fearing a massive manhunt or crisis.
Others got a hint that the mission was far less nefarious when they saw the outstretched, green arms of two Christmas elves, who were waving wildly from one of the vehicles.
Inside the school buses nearly 90 children from the Chester County Family Academy, a K-2 charter school in West Chester, with an assortment of teachers, staff, and board members, were giddy with excitement. They were about to become the beneficiaries of the inaugural “Shop with the Sheriff.”
Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh said that she and a group of her deputies had enjoyed participating in a similar program for many years in Coatesville. Called “Shop with a Cop,” it provides underprivileged children with money to buy holiday gifts — and a member of law-enforcement to serve as a personal shopper.
Some months ago, Welsh, a member of the board of the Chester County Family Academy, had wondered aloud if she could emulate the program for the charter school and got lots of encouragement. One of the chief Coatesville organizers even did more than offer advice: Donna Walton came to see the results. “I was so excited that they wanted to do this,” she said. “I just wanted to stop by and show support.”
So did Ruth Witmer. She and her husband, Jim, are the main sponsors of the Coatesville event. So when she learned that part of the festivities were being held at her church in West Chester, she said: “I had to volunteer.”
Andy Dell of Unionville was shopping with his wife, Lisa, when the shrieking sirens preceded the flood of children. He said most people were unfazed by the commotion. When the Dells learned that the kids were being treated to a holiday shopping spree, they smiled. “That’s a great idea,” Lisa Dell said. “The kids look really excited.”
Nancy Simons, a Chadds Ford resident, also happened to be in the store. When she heard what was occurring, she sought out the sheriff, whom she had never met. Coincidentally, they had just exchanged emails because Simons, an adoption representative for Keystone Greyhounds, was interested in helping with the sheriff’s K-9 program.
“This is great; this is Christmas,” Simons said. “I so admire the people who gave up their time to be here.”
And many dozens did. Members of the school’s staff and board, some of whom brought relatives, joined more than 30 representatives from the Sheriff’s Office at Walmart for the shopping segment of the expedition. Another 40-plus volunteers staffed the Providence Church in West Chester, the venue for a post-shopping party featuring food from Wawa, Herr’s, Benny’s Pizza and West Chester Hero.
“There’s a really great vibe here today,” said Lance Ransom, the Walmart manager. He said a couple of customers had asked if they needed to evacuate the store when they first heard the sirens and were delighted to learn about the special event.
Liz Eggers, who manages the toy department, said she was thoroughly enjoying what had been scheduled as a day off. “I had to come in,” she said. “I wouldn’t have missed this.”
As shopping carts, students, and deputies crisscrossed the aisles, it was sometimes difficult to tell whether the adults or the youngsters were having more fun.
“Mommy’s going to be so happy, so so happy,” exclaimed Nasir, one of the young shoppers, as he showed off the vacuum cleaner in his cart.
For Deputy Sheriff Anthony Schuibbeo, the event was heartwarming as well as healthful. He said one boy happily skipped away after they finished shopping, and when Schuibbeo checked the wrist monitor he was wearing, he found that he had logged more than two miles — and it wasn’t even noon.
Susan Flynn, the academy’s chief executive officer, beamed as she watched the children select gifts for family members, using their $100 gift cards. Pajamas were a popular choice for siblings while mothers’ treats ranged from bed pillows and sheets to candles and a microwave. Fathers will receive items such as a grill, a wallet and a jacket.
The public charter school was founded in 1997 to carry out the vision of local philanthropists Dick and Sheila Sanford “to make a difference in the lives of children.” Flynn said most of the families, for whom English is a second language, struggle financially. But what they also have in common is a belief in the importance of education, she said.
One of the lessons “Shop with the Sheriff” helped the school promote was the importance of giving back, Flynn said. “We make sure the children understand that not all gifts require money,” she said, citing the kids’ ability to share their time or make something.
With that concept in mind, the students created ornaments for all of the volunteers and deputies, and Flynn presented Welsh with a scarf from the “Save the Children Fund,” an international children’s advocacy organization.
Jose Mestre, a security officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said the handcrafted ornament was appreciated. “This one will go in a special place,” he said. “This is what it’s all about.”
Mike Fennessy, a Walmart shopper from Avondale, was so impressed with the interactions between the kids and the deputies wheeling them around the store, that he made a donation on the spot. “It’s a beautiful program,” he told Deputy Sheriff Harry McKinney, the lead organizer. “I hope you guys can keep doing this.”
McKinney, who expressed gratitude to a host of sponsors, including Walmart, Krapf Bus Companies, Otto’s, and Bryn Mawr Trust, said he expects the event to be repeated. It’s a good thing because some of his colleagues already have some tweaks in mind.
Deputy Sheriff Janis Pickell, who handled the logistics at Walmart, said she plans to trade her boots for roller skates after traversing from the front to the back of the store for several hours.
Chief Deputy Sheriff George P. March suggested adding a “Shop with the Sheriff” banner to the caravan so the public would realize more quickly that the sirens were trumpeting a positive event.
Eva Arthur, one of the Krapf bus drivers, said she had no inkling that she would find herself in the midst of a sea of flashing lights and exuberant children. “This was absolutely wonderful,” she said. “I’m so glad I came. I really needed this.”
Welsh said she was also pleased with the outcome, and she hoped the experience would help the children feel positive about law enforcement. She said when she first greeted a group of youngsters, she asked if they were excited, and all but one boy yelled “yes.” When questioned, Welsh said he replied: “I’m afraid of police.”
Hearing about the exchange, March pledged to quell that fear. “He won’t feel that way when this day is over,” he stated.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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