What's Happening in Hollywood, FL…

In Hollywood, Florida, police officers made the days a little brighter by visiting patients in the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital several days before Christmas.

Many of the children in “JoeD” have serious medical issues facing them, so the officers distributed encouragement as well as plenty of toys. The toys were donated by local businesses and community residents.

One of the officers participating in the event was Lieutenant Selina Hightower, who said she wanted to give back to the residents of the city she serves. She was happy to see children smiling when she and others visited them.

Thomas Demmery, the assistant police chief, said that it is always difficult to be hospitalized, especially over Christmas. He likes the event particularly because it involves helping children.

Two of the children who were particularly happy to see the officers were Zoe Pavon and Noraida Plana, according to a Hollywood Gazette article. Zoe’s mother, Rosa, was delighted the police came to cheer up her daughter. Kiara Pelicot, Noraida's mother, made a similar comment, as did both parents and children who got to open presents and spend time talking to the police officers.

Efforts like this are often especially effective if organizers work with a flyer printing company to create mailers, asking for people throughout the city to be part of the project.