Forward Township: Police surprise children with Easter baskets

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Not all Easter Bunnies have long ears; in Forward Township, they come in police uniforms.

Chief Travis Stoffer and Officer Frank Barrerio took a break from their usual duties Friday to deliver Easter baskets to 15 children throughout the township.

“It went really well. There was only one child who caught me dropping it off,” Stoffer said.

While each basket included the police chief’s business card, the idea was to provide an unexpected surprise to brighten a child’s day.

“It’s just something nice we try to do because we’re trying to make a positive impact on the kids in the area,” Stoffer said. “It’s these nice little surprises that you get that can make a difference.”

Stoffer said the department isn’t able to provide holiday treats for every child, so they try to switch up which children receive things like Easter baskets and Christmas presents. But in each instance, the presents go to children who need something positive in their lives.

“It’s random. We try to pick different families all the time,” Stoffer said.

Each basket contained candy, toys, Play-Doh and other small, fun items, Stoffer said, things to help bring an element of normalcy to childhood.