Representatives from the Christmas lights show on Dunkirk Trail in the Village of Hadley presented a second check to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
“We really want to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed,” said Hans Mantel the mastermind behind the light and music display. “Also we want to extend a big thank you to the residents of Hadley, they put up with a lot of extra traffic during Christmas and they are very forgiving, knowing it is for a good cause.”
Ken O’Reilly handled the money and contributions. He also wanted to thank the giving community.
“They far exceeded our expectations” And that they did; more than tripling the monetary contributions from last year. The money raised is going to provide bullet proof vests for the blood hounds in the canine unit.
“I don’ know if it was the cause or the increased traffic,” said O’Reilly, “but we were really blown away by the generosity.” This check was for more than $7,000 and they contributed over four thousand pounds of food to the food pantry at Heritage Community Church in Fruitland Park. A previous check presented in December went toward the vests and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Kids, Cops and Christmas program.
Accepting the check Lt. Siemer thanked them saying the money received in December had gone to good use.
“I delivered some of the Christmas packages which included presents and a food basket. It tugs your heart to see the need out there. You go into some homes and the children are more excited about the food basket than the toys.”
They knew they wanted to keep the cause local and O’Reilly being a retired law enforcement office from Suffolk County in New York was drawn to doing something for the Sheriff’s office. Discovering that the blood hounds in the unit did not have vests made the decision for last year’s donations an easy one.
“The money collected is always given to a local charity. But I think announcing ahead of time where the money was going was a big help. The blood hounds visited the lights display and the children loved it.” said O’Reilly.
“We get people from all over the area, Orlando, Ocala Citrus. Close to Christmas there was a five minute wait to get through the gate,” said Mantel. “I know,” piped in Duane Palmer, a volunteer manning the reception desk at the sheriff’s office. “You live in Hadley?” asked Mantel. “We do,” said Palmer. “There is always a large crowd; we just plan our routes accordingly during that time. We appreciate the efforts and what good the money is doing.”
“See what I mean,” said Mantel, “the neighborhood has been really great about it. It is an inconvenience for them, but they put up with it.” For those that have never seen the light and music show on Dunkirk Trail, it will be up again on the day after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve.
