More expensive gifts such as Xbox, PlayStation, a toy tractor for a 3-year-old, and a 3D printer were among those packaged and distributed to 24 children from 13 families by the officers and borough staff joined by Santa and the Grinch for the fourth annual South Williamsport Police Christmas Program.

Mayor Marlin Angelo was on hand. He started a similar program more than two decades ago while a police officer in Jersey Shore. Once he was elected mayor of South Williamsport, Angelo brought the concept with him and it’s been a boost to mothers and fathers, grandparents, guardians and anyone in need of a boost ever since.

“We tell them don’t be shy, put whatever you want,” said police Cpl. Seth Stropp, the program organizer. “We tell them to put things on here that may be out of your price range.”

Among those at the second floor of the old borough building were borough patrol Sgt. Jacob “Jake” Summers; Cpl. Kevin Grant and Acting Chief Devin Thompson and his wife and the borough staff and volunteers.

Cpl. Seth Stropp of the South Williamsport Police Dept. wraps up Christmas presents early Christmas Eve morning to be distributed by members of the department and volunteers. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“We have a wrapping night, where the officers, borough officials, wives of the officers wrap the presents,” Stropp said. On Christmas Eve morning, the gifts are loaded up into the rear and seats of the waiting police vehicles. Summers said he would put on his lights and lead the parade of vehicles on the distribution circuit, which usually requires about two hours with an hour loading up and making sure each gift is tagged from Santa and goes to the right place. Stropp said the Christmas Program could not take place without the generosity and the Christmas Spirit of community members, and that begins months in advance.

Stropp said he begins to send out letters to area businesses to inform them of the program as early as August and September.

Stropp said he prepares the sign up sheets, ensuring those who sign up put down a list of items that they might not be able to afford and telling them to handle the less costlier of the gifts – letting the police and borough staff do the rest.

The joy of the season is unmistakable for the officers and borough officials as they were about to bring smiles and laughter to the children on Christmas Eve morning, with weather cooperative, as temperatures poked into the mid-30s and clear roads, other than the last-minute hustle and bustle of those on streets and roads.

“We’d like to do more,” Stropp acknowledged. “We have the ability to do more,” he added.

Members of the South Williamsport Police Dept. pack trucks with Christmas presents before they head out early Christmas Eve morning to give to residents in need by members of the department and volunteers. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

For families that wish, private pick up of the gifts can be arranged, he said.

Through Mayor Angelo’s leadership, the South Williamsport Police Department organized a Christmas gift program for deserving families three years ago,” said Steven W. Cappelli, borough manager and borough public safety director.

“We collaborated with the South Williamsport Area School District and other organizations to identify families and their children’s gift requests,” he said. “Year over year, program donations have exceeded gift requests and the positive impact of the program has elevated the image and reputation of our police department immeasurably. Children’s Christmas present dreams have unquestionably been fulfilled by our program and Mayor Angelo and Cpl. Stropp deserve much praise.”

Shane Miller of South Williamsport, carries presents down to trucks at the South Williamsport Police Dept. Christmas present distribution early Christmas Eve morning given to residents in need by members of the department and volunteers. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette