A family in Prince George鈥檚 County, Maryland, that has fallen upon hard times got more than they expected Monday evening when officers from Maryland-National Capital Park Police and community members assembled a series of surprises.
The surprises complete with a police motorcade, SUVs and fire trucks with flashing lights 鈥� and even Santa Claus.
鈥淲e actually have a family that’s really in need, at least in our opinion. We found out that they were homeless 鈥� sleeping in a car 鈥� through the school system,鈥� said Stanley R. Johnson, chief of the Prince George鈥檚 County division of Maryland-National Capital Park Police.
“A teacher kind of [informed] us of a student that really could use some help for this winter,鈥� Johnson said.
M-NC Park Police Officer pull off their Annual Secret Santa Surprise for a family in need in Prince George鈥檚 County!
鈥� Parks & Recreation (@pgparks)
Ericka Green overwhelmed with joy after officers with Police surprised her and her children with gifts 鈥� upon gifts 鈥� upon gifts for the holidays!
鈥� Liz Anderson (@PlanetNoun)
The “Secret Santa” plans were activated to help the family of 8-year-old Mason Green, a student at Maya Angelou French Immersion IB World School.
It was a community effort that included donations from across the department, as well as help from local businesses and organizations.
Kudos! This Secret Santa operation is a coordinated effort between the Park Police the and our community partner
鈥� Parks & Recreation (@pgparks)
The result?
A trove of gifts and squeals, jumping and smiles from Ericka Green鈥檚 younger children, from 8-year-old Mason to his twin siblings, Heyleigh and Hayward.
Their 14-year-old brother, Syvin, spoke to 草莓传媒 after he was handed a bag of art supplies because a Secret Santa heard he likes to draw.
He said he was lost for words.
鈥淎s long as they鈥檙e happy and excited, then that’s good,鈥� Syvin said, referring to his younger brothers and sister.
According to the police department, the family has been living in a truck after they were evicted from their apartment.
The cavalcade of holiday cheer gifted to the family also includes temporary lodging at a hotel through January 2020 while their county application for a more permanent housing solution is processed, with hopes of approval.
Park Police has arranged with to arrange for a new vehicle and temporary housing for the family of five including Mom and children, ages 14, 8, and 6 yr. old twins.
鈥� Parks & Recreation (@pgparks)
鈥淚’ve never had so many gifts. It’s like 100 gifts,鈥� Mason said. 鈥淎nd a bike!鈥�
And their mom was shedding many tears of joy: a happy moment among recent thorns.
鈥淲e just buried their dad on this past Saturday, so you know, he would want nothing more. I was worried that I wasn’t going to be able to give them a good Christmas,鈥� Ericka Green told 草莓传媒.
The waterfall of gifts is helping to provide a glimmer of hope as they navigate this tough patch of life.
鈥淚 worry and I work an awful lot. It gets difficult sometimes to try and mask that from the babies, and to be able to have them to have a regular childhood without the stresses of life,” said Green. “It鈥檚 definitely been difficult for myself to try and, you know, to keep a good face.”
鈥淚 had no idea about any of this. I came for dinner and unlimited games at Dave & Busters. That’s it,” Green said. “This is a shock to all of us, which is why I am just lost. I don’t even know how to take all of this in.”
