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Date: 12/17/2019
WEST SPRINGFIELD – “This is the most Christmasy I’ve felt all year,” remarked Officer Josh Seidell of the West Springfield Police Department as he, Officer Matthew Pinkerman and Det. Cheyenne Azadan stood by a cruiser while snow fell lightly and Christmas music filled the air.
Usually, suspects are found in the back of a cruiser, but with the rear hatch open wide, this police car, parked in front of Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co., was filled with toys.
“This year we’ve raised $1,000 in cash,” said Carly Camossi, outreach coordinator for the Town of West Springfield, who stood outside with the police between 4 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 6. That cash is in addition to three “very full” cruisers of toys, she said.
The donations benefited Operation Santa, a program “sponsored by the West Springfield Park and Recreation Department that distributes food baskets and toys” to families with children aged 15 and younger that meet income guidelines in West Springfield, according to the town’s operation Santa website.
Three Stuff-a-Cruiser events were set up at different businesses over the course of a week. Pintu’s Indian Palace hosted the first of this year’s Stuff-a-Cruiser events on Nov. 30, while the Dec. 1 event took place at The Crest Room.
Derek Upson, a co-owner of Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co., told Reminder Publishing why they decided to host the third event.
“We’re always trying to help, and we know our customers like to give back,” said Upson.
Illustrating the point, Tom Budington dropped off a toy on his way into the brewery. “I’m connected to the brewery and I wanted to donate,” he said.
Inside Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co., Mayor Will Reichelt praised the event and Camossi’s work.
“I give Carly and Parks and Rec. credit. They definitely stepped it up this year,” Reichelt said.
This is the third year the police department has thrown the fundraiser. Carmossi said the sign-up sheet for officers to participate in the charity event filled quickly and it was “a no-brainer” for many of the officers at the police department.
“A lot of times the police interact with the community at the worst times,” Carmossi said. “It’s a chance to have a different experience with them.”
Det. Cheyenne Azadan said, “We work in a field where we deal with a population that isn’t as fortunate.” He said they had the chance to provide a little relief through the charity event.
“It’s a good chance to give back,” Seidell agreed.
Learn more about Westside’s Operation Santa at townofwestspringfield.org/government/departments/park-and-recreation/special-events/operation-santa-2019.