Sarasota Boy Makes Sweet 'Survival Kits' For Cops

SARASOTA, FL — A 7-year-old Sarasota boy came up with a sweet way to honor local law enforcement officers during National Police Week. Rather than simply say "thank you," Levi Lowry made “Survival Kits” for officers on the Sarasota force.

Levi, a local Cub Scout, and his mom dropped off the kits at the Sarasota Police Department’s headquarters Wednesday night. Each of the kits contains a carefully selected assortment of candy. On the outside of each bag, Levi explained just why each candy was selected.

Each bag contained, a “Lifesaver to remind the Officers of the many times they've been one,” the police department said on Facebook. “Starburst for the burst of energy the Officers need. Payday since Officers aren't doing it for the money. A Hershey Kiss to show love for the Officers. Gum to help everyone stick together. A Tootsie Roll so Officers can roll with the punches. A Peppermint Patty to help Officers keep their cool. Snickers to help Officers keep their sense of humor and Mounds for the mounds of courage our Officers show.”

The idea for the "survival kits" arose as Levi was brainstorming a community project to complete for his cross over Wolf to Bear in the Cub Scouts, his mother, Christine Cinelli told Patch. After doing some research, they came across the idea for the survival kits for police.

Since Levi had said how much he enjoyed his Troop's February tour of police headquarters, Cinelli said the project was the perfect fit.

"Levi and worked together on making the bags," Cinelli said. Her son, she added, was quite particular about the candy to include.

"I have to throw these broken ones away because we can’t give the Police any broken Lifesavers," Cinelli said Levi told her while assembling the bags.

As for Wednesday night's delivery, Levi was quite excited. He even received his very own badge pin, patch and stickers from Lt. Mayforth at the station.

"Once we left the Police Station last night he told me he wanted to put this patch with his Jameis Winston football cards," Cinelli said. "Because if he ever lost it he would be so mad."

Levi’s gifts came just in time for National Police Week celebrations. The annual recognition began in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day. The entire week surrounding the memorial day was declared National Police Week. A memorial service is held in Washington, D.C., each year to recognize officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

“It’s very heartwarming,” Lt. Lori Jaress, of Sarasota’s patrol division, said of Levi’s gift. “It means a lot because we don’t get thanked every day by a 7-year-old. It’s very sweet and very appreciated.”

There were 128 line of duty deaths in the United States in 2015, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. In 2016 so far, there have been 35.

Two of those deaths occurred in Florida, including the March 12 traffic crash that claimed the life of Hillsborough County Deputy John Robert Kotfila Jr. Kotfila was struck by a wrong-way driver on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. A witness credited his actions for saving her life.

Photos courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department

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