SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Local police officers once again spent their time reaching out to youth in the community.
The fourth annual Heroes and Helpers event was held at Target on Route 1 in South Brunswick on Dec. 13. The event recognized 10 exceptional children with a special day to honor their accomplishments, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department.
Michaela Sanders from South Brunswick High School, Jean Carlos Martinez Peralta from Crossroads Middle School South, Michael DeToro from Crossroads Middle School North, Jailene Vasquez from Brunswick Acres Elementary, Adwoa Ansong from Greenbrook Elementary, Charlie Barahona from Cambridge Elementary, Emma Valentine from Constable Elementary, Carter Williams from Monmouth Junction Elementary, Meadow Castellano from Indian Fields Elementary and Emmanuella Koroma from Brooks Crossing Elementary were all given a Target gift card and their own personal police officer to accompany them through the store on their shopping spree, according to the statement.
The students have been involved in promoting autism awareness, being peer leaders, helping with the Day-By-Day Hope Foundation, aiding physically disabled students participate in physical activities, starting the “They Wish You Knew” initiative to get children more comfortable interacting with others, helping kindergarteners learn to read and volunteering to tutor other students, assisting in socializing new students when they transfer to South Brunswick schools, raising money and collecting food for the homeless, collecting donated clothing for the disadvantaged, working with other students through FLY (Finding the Leader in You) and taking care of fellow students and school buildings, according to the statement.
“We are honored to recognize these young men and women. These are the role models and the stand-up students who make our community and schools better. They lead by example in the daily actions they take,” Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said in the statement.
The program was funded by a partnership between Target of South Brunswick, the South Brunswick School District administrators, the South Brunswick Police Department Policeman’s Benevolent Association (PBA) and the department’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).