Above: The SPD and SFD have been bringing holiday cheer to Southborough children this month. (images cropped from Facebook posts)
Members of Southborough Police and Fire departments have been embracing and spreading the spirit of Christmas this month. The police department enhanced their participation in an annual event. And Southborough firefighters gave their charitable drive a boost with a big new, special event.
Shop with a Cop
Last night, the Southborough Police Department took part in the regional “Shop with a Cop” event. In past years, the SPD has supported the event that helps children pick out toys/gifts at Walmart in Framingham. The gift costs are covered by donations to the Framingham Police Association.
In past years, children were from neighboring communities. This year, SPD Chief Ryan Newell was able to work with Southborough schools to select children from our town to also participate in the special experience.
The event included a 100 area officers, including 4 from the SPD, and over 380 kids, including 11 from Southborough.
Below are pictures that the SPD posted to Facebook:
(You can also see more pics in Metrowest Daily News’ story here.)
SFD works with Santa (& half price tree sale)
The SPD officers weren’t the only Southborough public safety members helping get gifts into the hands of of kids from families in need.
The week prior, on Tuesday December 9th, the Southborough Fire Department hosted a special, extra visit from Santa to Southborough this year.
The man in red came out to help the SFD collect more donations for their annual holiday gift drive for Project Just Because. (And Project Just Because has shared their thanks for those who donated.)
Firefighters towed a float with Santa in his sleigh, surrounded by Christmas decorations. The plan the SFD promoted on Facebook was to pick up donations from visitors in parking lots at Finn School, St. Mark’s Street, and New England Center for Children.1
To get there, they took a meandering route to spread cheer throughout town.
The advertised route proceeded through Main Street, East Main Street, Thayer Lane, Maplecrest Drive, Pinecone Lane, Framingham Road, Sears Road, Deerfoot Road, Flagg Road, Strawberry Hill Road, Orchard Road, Red Gate Lane, Blackthorn Drive, Richards Road, Atwood Street, Leonard Drive, Brayden Road, Woodbury Road, Heather Lane, Darlene Drive, Liberty Drive, and Constitution Drive.
Below is the SFD’s Facebook post with photos and videos capturing the fun:
The Southborough Firefighters Association has also been holding its annual fundraiser selling Christmas Trees. As of last night, several trees were still in the lot (though not their jumbo sized ones). While selection is slim, the ½ price sale makes it worth checking out tonight before they sell out!
- [Editor’s Note: I missed the news of the SFD’s plans, which is why I didn’t alert readers in advance about the event. The SFD had posted flyers that Santa was coming to Town, with images of a fire truck. I made a mistaken assumption that it was about a planned visit to NECC. The SFD has driven Santa in a fire truck to visit the institute’s daycare in past years. The only other time I’m aware that they helped Santa drive through Town was in 2020 when the pandemic prevented Santa Day from being held. ].
