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Peterborough
County O.P.P and local high school students team up for Tommy PETERBOROUGH Just like any other day, a group of Peterborough County O.P.P officers suited up and got to work. However on April 23rd, the officers traded in their badges and boots for sweats and running shoes. "It's good for the students to see the officers out of uniform and having fun," illustrates Crestwood Vice Principal Anita Simpson. The gymnasium at Crestwood Secondary School was brimming with students and officers out to offer their support to fellow grade nine Crestwood student Tommy Garrett. On a buy-out from class, the students paid two dollars each to watch the O.P.P officer’s battle it out with Crestwood’s senior girl’s volleyball team. "We definitely shouldn’t quit our day jobs," laughs Constable Matt Stoner. "We won’t be winning any trophies soon." Starting off strong, the O.P.P managed a win out of the first game. Unfortunately that’s all they could hold against the girls who went on to win the next two games of the eventual three played. For the third year, the Peterborough O.P.P have set up a volleyball game against the students of Crestwood. The agenda for this year’s game was different. Usually the game is set up as a fundraiser for Crestwood students to be involved in a trip like Jamaica Self Help. When that plan wasn't followed through, geography teacher Kim Kasperski brought up the idea of playing for Tommy. "It hits close to home to the students," says Crestwood Vice Principal Anita Simpson. The turn out was interesting, she describes, being in grade nine, Tommy wasn't in the building that long before he left. "We're very proud," Anita tells of the students involvement in the game as well as the audience. "Over fifty per cent of the students turned out." "It tells you a lot about the school," describes Constable Stoner. "Every year the gym is packed." 15 year old Tommy Garrett was diagnosed with a form of leukemia that attacks the bone marrow. During the afternoon, $1162 was raised for Tommy and his family. The officers, most of whom were volunteering their own time to participate, added another $100 to the total. Vice Principal Anita Simpson explains that though small, the amount raised will make a dent in the costs that Tommy and his family face. "For a trip to Toronto gas alone is $20, never mind the cost of grabbing a bite to eat or staying over." O.P.P Senior Constable Lauren Tompson, organizer
of the annual volleyball games, presented the donation to Tommy’s mother Sandy. Along
with the money, they gave Tommy a "Cops for Cancer" baseball
hat and t-shirt. "We do whatever we can," says Lauren. "This
year there were twice as many officers." |
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