By Joanna Garner
For the 80 people — 60 of them children — who gathered in Catholic Charities’ family and community services center in Camden for a Celebration of Families the Saturday before Christmas, the day included more than one surprise gift-bearing visitor.
In addition to Santa Claus, officers of the Camden County Police Department made an appearance to hand out gifts to the children and visit with families.
“In the midst of the tension around the country related to the police, this is an ongoing effort to develop relationships between the police and the kids,” said Jose Sanchez, director of Catholic Charities’ Camden center and co-chair of the District Council Collaborative Board (DCCB) for Camden’s fourth district, the group that organized the event.
“We’re trying to tell them that the police officer is a friendly guy, not somebody who’s going to arrest you later on in life. He’s the one who’s going to take care of you if you need something,” Sanchez said.
DCCB is a community-based partnership with law enforcement and community members, social services and schools that has existed for about 15 years to combat social problems in particular neighborhoods in Camden. Their website includes a community policing feature that allows community members to report crime or concerns to the police department.
Children played cards and colored at tables. Girl Scout troops from Ferry Avenue Branch Library led craft-making. Parents were given a packet of information about social services offered through Catholic Charities and other non-profits.
Families ate lunch together and joined in singing Christmas carols led by members of New Light Holiness Church in Camden and their pastor, Odessa Edmond, who is also a member of the DCCB for district four.
“Some of these families don’t have Christmas because of financial struggles and the economy. We try to give them a helping hand to make sure they are happy during the Christmas season and keep a smile on the children’s faces,” Pastor Edmond said.
Santa Claus took photos with families and gave each an individualized package of gifts and clothing donated to Catholic Charities by the parishioners of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Collingswood and Campbell’s Soup Company. Catholic Charities will use the extra donated clothing and toys for the children of the refugee clients its program serves.
The police officers handed out gifts to the children collected through a department-wide toy drive. Officers participate in community events like this one throughout the Christmas season.
“It’s important for the kids to see that we’re part of the whole community. We want to reassure them that we’re here for them. We want to make sure that we’re approachable,” said Sgt. Luis Sanchez.
Sanchez said every officer on the force has participated in at least one event like this one during the holiday season.
Fourth-grader Julius Reed spent time talking with one of the officers. He said he had been a little scared of the police before, but not anymore. “I asked the officer what he does and he told me about it,” he said.
Among his list of options for what he wants to be when he grows up are someone who builds houses, a fire fighter and, now, a police officer.
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