Front Royal Police officers bring cheer to nursing home residents

Captain J. Ryman spends a few minutes chatting with Ms. Dominguez. / Photo: Norma Jean Shaw

FRONT ROYAL – For the third year in a row, a group of Front Royal Police officers, accompanied by Front Royal Police Foundation volunteers and board members visited local nursing home residents, taking time to sit and chat, as well as bring gifts for the residents to open and enjoy.

Royal Haven Assisted Living, on West Criser Road, was one of the facilities visited.  Karen Patton, Activities Director, said the residents were delighted to see the group.  “We are so thankful for everything they did today and everyone behind the scenes that made it happen!! Seeing everyone was priceless! Thank you!”

Based upon the smiles of the officers and the patients, it is difficult to tell which group enjoyed the event more.  Officer Crystal Cline said, “I was so fortunate to be a part of Operation Blue Christmas again this year! We were able to deliver presents to two local nursing homes and sit and talk with the residents! Every single person I talked to had a story to tell and a history that they were proud of!”

The group also visited Heritage Hall Health Care on West Strasburg Road Thursday afternoon.

Detective Waller helps a resident with a gift. / Photo: Karen Patton

Foundation President Patti Baggarly said, “The Officers are fantastic with the residents, sitting and talking to them and opening presents with them. There are great people at Front Royal Police Department. Two nursing homes in one day and we had so many officers there…it was amazing…lots of hugs and smiles.”

The Front Royal Police Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization comprised of citizens who work to raise funds for department needs that are beyond what the town budget can fully support.

The board spends 95-percent of all donated funds; the remaining five-percent is spent on overhead, such as stationery, postage, etc.

Items funded by the Front Royal Police Foundation in the past include: a K9 vehicle, K9 training and a kennel, defensive tactics training equipment, gym equipment and travel expenses for out-of-state training, as well as funding support for community projects such as National Night Out.

FRPD officers and FRPF volunteers and board members visited two nursing homes Thursday as part of their annual Operation Blue Christmas project. / Photo Karen Patton

For more information about joining or supporting the Foundation with a tax-deductible donation, see the Facebook page here: Front Royal Police Foundation.