Dover Police Officer’s Send Local Family to Disney World for Christmas 12-18-14

The men and women of the Dover Police Department are used to giving to their community.  After all, that’s what police officers are supposed to do; protect and serve.  But for the last month, the Dover Police Department has gone even further with their #DPDGivesBack campaign.  From free Monday morning coffee to giving needy children and families Christmas gifts, and donations to homeless shelters, the officers of the Dover Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15 have paid it forward in an effort to thank the community for their continued support and encourage others to help make the community a kinder and safer place to live.

Officers from the department recently learned the sad story of one local family and felt the need to make this Christmas an extremely special one.  The family lost their mother and father recently and John, the 22-year-old brother, has adopted his younger siblings. The family has also endured what can only be described as other extremely difficult challenges between the loss of their parents.   The Fraternal Order of Police stepped in and provided the funding to send the family on a one week, all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  The organization that represents the officers of the Dover Police Department provided round-trip airfare, hotel stay, transportation, 6-day park hopper passes for Disney World, 6 day meal plan, luggage, and spending money.  The family was brought to the police department for what they believed was going to be a tour of the department.  12-year-old Christopher wants to be a Dover Police Officer when he grows up.  As the tour began, officers took the family to meet the Chief of Police, Paul Bernat.  It was then that they were surprised with Christmas gifts under the tree.  As they opened the gifts, they discovered their magic wristbands for Disney World and were told of their upcoming adventure.  The Dover Police Department wishes safe travels to the family and looks forward to seeing pictures of their well-deserved vacation.