By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

On a brisk, cold Tuesday morning, representatives from about 17 area first responders and law enforcement agencies — including Wyoming and Kentwood — helped Santa Claus by delivering about 500 new toys to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

“This is just awesome to have this opportunity to spread some holiday cheer especially among some children who may not be able to be home,” said Wyoming Department of Public Safety Officer Chad Lynn.

The Toy Express to the children’s hospital was made possible through a grant from the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), a national nonprofit organization that provides financial relief to the families of first responders who have been injured or killed in the line of duty. The event was spearheaded by the Grandville Police Department, which wrote the grant request to FRCF.

“On the second Wednesday of the month, local first responders come out and turn their lights on for the children [at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital],” said Grandville Chief Paul Anglim, who had served with the Wyoming Public Safety Department for 27 years.

 

“It was just a natural extension of the Project Night Lights since the group was already formed.”

Project Night Lights is a program of Silent Observer, a non-profit established in 1972 to help solve and prevent serious crime in the Grand Rapids area.

“Silent Observer is so appreciative of this donation and is thrilled that Grandville Police Department and the FRCF are recognizing Silent Obersrver’s efforts involving Project Night Lights and all the First Responders who give up their time, month after month, to show their love and support of the patients at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital,” said Silent Observer Executive Director Chris Cameron.

 

The parade went from the Grand Rapids Community College’s parking garage off of Ransom Avenue and made its way up to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital on Lake Michigan Drive. Officers then unloaded the toys to carts which were wheeled inside to the hospital.

“We’re so pleased to have donations like this from the generosity of the community,” said Kelly Dyer, president of Spectrum Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundations.  “The generosity is simply amazing. It has been such a challenging year for everyone, and we are grateful for those who make time for this kind of thing.”

It’s all about bringing a little bit of joy, she added with a smile.

“Making a child feel normal while managing a challenging situation like being in the hospital is what it’s all about.  Bringing a little bit of joy…that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

Glenn Colbert, a former Kentwood Police officer who is now manager of security at Spectrum Health, agreed with Dyer, adding he felt it was a great opportunity to showcase the public outreach many officers do for the community.

“We are happy to have this opportunity to partner with our fellow law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel by supporting the children in the hospital,” said Matt Brinkman, director of security at Spectrum Health.

 

Along with Grandville, Wyoming and Kentwood police departments, other law enforcement and first responder agencies that participated in the Toy Express event were Spectrum Security Police, Grandville Fire, Michigan State Police. Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Rapids Police, Walker Police, East Grand Rapids Department of Public Safety, Rockford Department of Public Safety, Grand Rapids Community College Police, Plainfield Township Fire, American Medical Response, Life EMS, Lowell Police, and Grand Valley State University Police.

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