Gift bags full of treats donated by Cranberry staff and students and handmade posters of thanks were delivered Monday to Franklin state police.
“You only hear about when a police officer does something wrong on the news, but people need to realize that millions of good decisions are made by the police that save lives every day,” said Nick Howard, a high school senior.
Howard is an officer in the high school’s World Language Club. The group is overseen by French teacher Shannon Sturdevant and Spanish teacher Lisa Vogus.
“It was so much fun to stop by the police station and drop off the items. I think they were truly surprised with our offerings and the signs,” Sturdevant said.
Last year, the foreign language students prepared gift boxes for military personnel and shipped them oversees. That project provided Howard with an idea.
“My idea stemmed from the other project we do, which is the military project. I chose the state police because they make sacrifices each and every day in order to keep us safe here at home,” he said. “Many people don’t realize that being a police officer is tough and they do the best they can because they are human too.”
Police officers are under increasing scrutiny and the students wanted them to know that their efforts are appreciated, Howard said.
“The gift bag project wasn’t a huge project that took a lot of time, but I know it made a difference and made the officers’ day a little bit brighter,” Howard said.
