Temple University’s Department of Public Safety donated 100 bicycles to children from four neighboring schools, thanks to a generous gift from a Secret Santa, and a week later gifted presents to 300 children.

Upon receiving a new computer and other gifts, Johshonna Sexton of North Philadelphia wiped away tears of joy and appreciation at the Temple University’s Department of Public Safety’s (TUDPS) 28th annual Children’s Holiday Party held Sunday at the Liacouras Center.

“I’m so grateful and appreciative for all the support from the Temple community,” Sexton said.

Sexton is a single mom of three children and faced hardships this year after getting laid off from her job.

So Temple gave her the VIP treatment at the Children’s Holiday Party. That included allowing her family to be the first to see Santa and the first to pick out their gifts. They also received a grocery store gift card and new winter coats.

Her daughter, Ava, enjoyed the full day of free fun, like face painting and interacting with Transformers and dancing.

“I loved line dancing, especially!” she said.

Ava was among 300 children from the North Philadelphia community to attend the holiday party.

Trinity Johnson, an eighth-grade student from Gratz Prep Middle School, said it was a day that she and her mom Tamika would never forget.

“I love Christmas time, and I think what Temple did for us today was great,” Trinity said. “It makes me want to be more a part of the Temple community and to go to school here one day.”

Temple’s Children’s Holiday Party was made possible thanks to dozens of Temple University students, staff and faculty who spent three days wrapping more than 1,500 gifts.

Among them was Amber French of Temple Student Government.

“I’ve never seen this many gifts in on location!” she said.

Each wrapped present added to the overwhelming sense of gratitude filling the Liacouras Center.

Seeing the Temple community and staff come together to give back to the North Philadelphia community is an amazing initiative,” said Saniya Hayden, a Temple junior marketing major.

On a cold day, the holiday party brought a lot of warmth not only to the children of North Philadelphia, but to Temple police officers, too.

“It makes you feel good on the inside and it gives you a better purpose of doing your job, more than just the patrol aspect of it,” said Officer Brennan Sullivan.

About a week before the Children’s Holiday Party, TUDPS also gifted new bicycles to 100 children from four schools in North Philadelphia.

The bicycles were distributed on Monday, Dec. 1, to students from the Paul Dunbar School, Tanner Duckrey School, George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, and St. Malachy Catholic School.

A Secret Santa provided a generous gift to TUDPS to make it happen.

“Some of Santa’s elves have told us that bicycles are on a lot of Christmas lists that, especially this year, might have been hard to get. However, we are thankful for the anonymous donor who made a generous gift that allowed the Temple University Police Department to purchase these very special presents this holiday season,” said Jennifer Griffin, Temple’s chief of police and vice president for public safety.

While the donor is a mystery, Griffin said she is certain that the individual has deep admiration for the work of Temple police and TUDPS.

“Whoever this anonymous donor is, we sincerely hope that their generosity serves as a reminder of why we celebrate the holidays: to give back,” Griffin said.

Darryl Johnson Jr., Carver’s principal, said there’s nostalgia when picturing a child riding a new bicycle.

“We thank Chief Griffin and the entire Temple University police department for providing these bicycles to our students,” Johnson said. “Their work in the community does not go unnoticed. We are always grateful for their support.”

Temple Police Officer Leroy Wimberly was thrilled to be able to gift the bicycles to the children and appreciates the community’s support of TUDPS.

“During this time of year, it’s especially heartwarming to see people step up in a big way. When you look at these children and see so many smiling faces, it’s a great feeling,” said Wimberly. “While most kids have to wait until the holidays to open gifts, these children get an early start with their new bikes.”

Wimberly added that giving back to the community is also part of Temple’s mission.

“Policing is about connecting with the community,” he said. “We are proud to serve both the Temple and North Philadelphia communities.”