Santa's Link to Kid Thanks: A Letter From Officer Allen

Thank you so much to all of you who helped us with Santa's Link To Kids. Below is a letter received from Officer Tom Allen after our final Present Party, as read by Sheri Lynch.

Brad, Morgan and Todd, It's 11:06 and I just got home from work but I wanted to get this to you before I go and get a few hours sleep myself.  Everyone was heartbroken on Friday when we heard about the tragedy that occurred in Conn. on Friday.   I know that for me personally that the sense of loss and sadness was hard to shake this weekend.  With such sadness, I wish the world could see what I saw yesterday as I spent the whole day at the Promenade at Providence collecting gifts.

As anyone who has been in law enforcement can tell you, it is easy to get jaded and  questions peoples motives and goodness but what I witnessed today really touched my heart and even brought a scene of healing to.  What I saw today was repeated acts of kindness, not done to make themselves look good or show how great they were.  What I saw today was people who simply wanted to do good simply because there was a need.  I dont quite know how to put to words what I am trying to say other than from 8:30am until 8:00pm I saw why our city is so great.  So many people came together today to help people they will never meet, and who will never know just how much they helped.

Your listeners keep thanking us for being there and for giving them the opportunity to help and it really caught me off guard.   So often we see the darker side of humanity in our job, but today I say the best at work.  Thousands of toys were given, over $4,000 was donated at the two locations and what was an empty warehouse this morning looked totally different tonight at 9:00pm when I brought in the last load of toys.  I called my wife on the way home and told her what a great day I had being out there and seeing people who just wanted to help and were thanking us , when they are the true heroes of the day.  I am rambling (very tired) but had to take some time to let you all know how proud I am of your listeners and of our community.  I needed today to remind me why we do this project and what this season is all about.

A great gift was given to us many years ago, and today I saw that lived out as people gave of their time, money and from their hearts to help those that need help.  Please pass this on to the on air staff and their listeners.  The love and kindness I saw demonstrated today by the people of Charlotte, by your staff at the sites was awesome and I want them to know how thankful I am to each one of them for the gift that they gave me today.  Yes there is great evil and sadness in the world but there is an even greater good that was shown today.  Because of them so many people will receive the gift of joy, laughter and even greater than that, the gift of love and hope.  So again to all who came out today and gave and to your staff who spent the day with us thank you! I am so proud of what was accomplished today.  Please wish them all a very merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!!  I am so proud to serve here in our city.