Santa had a little help getting some Christmas gifts to Peggy DeShields and her four grandsons of Oxford. That help came in the form of Tpr. Samantha Minnucci and other troopers from Troop J, Avondale barracks, of the Pennsylvania State Police.
According to Minnucci, the troopers, along with Walmart and Camp Cadet — the troop’s summer camp program for kids whose families couldn’t otherwise afford to give their kids a camp experience — chipped in a total of $1,500.
She said Walmart donated $1,000, while Camp Cadet kicked in $200 and troopers at the barracks raised another $300. The money went to buy gifts for five needy families, among them were the DeShields.
“I appreciate the troop’s help,” Peggy DeShields said.
Minnucci said it was her pleasure.
“We want you to know we care,” Minnucci said.
Another trooper had some contact with the family and told Minnucci their story. It was her decision on which families were to get the gifts.
The gifts were mostly necessities, clothes and toiletries for the older grandsons, and crayons and some wipes for the 2-year-old.
“We hope that the presents will not only provide the children with essential items, (clothes, hats and gloves and body wash) but also show them that the police care about them. We don’t forget them after we get that 911 phone call or after the week-long summer camp. Those relationships remain with us. We are here to support and the serve the citizens of the Commonwealth,” Minnucci said.
There was a point of irony in DeShields’ family being chosen. Peggy DeShields, 69, just received her GED a few years ago, then went on to get an associate's degree and is now working on getting a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
She said she wants to get her master’s degree and then go to work as an investigator.
(Photo: Tpr. Samantha Minnucci with Peggy DeShields and her four grandsons after Minnucci played Santa's helper.)
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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