NH State Police Thank Epsom Central School

Submitted by Lt. Nicole Armaganian of the New Hampshire State Police: 

The New Hampshire State Police wants to extend a very big Thank You to the students at the Epsom Central School (Middle School) in Epsom. 

Members of their Student Council chose the New Hampshire State Police as their focus for fundraising this year.  Their efforts began as, ‘Toys for Troopers.’ The goal in mind was to provide each Trooper with stuffed animals to have accessible in their cruisers.  These stuffed animals would be used to provide comfort to a child when he/she was experiencing a traumatic event.  To raise money to purchase these ‘Toys for Troopers’, the Epsom Central School Student Council Body (11 members), with the help from Teachers and Parents, coordinated school dances and sponsored days like ‘Pajama Day’ where students would give money to wear pajamas to school for the day. 

The students raised more than $1,200.00 and purchased many stuffed animals from their local 5Below and Wal-Mart stores.  The Student Council provided the State Police Troop D, their local community Troop Barracks, with enough stuffed animals for the trunk of each cruiser.  After this endeavor was complete, the Student Council had more stuffed animals to donate.  Well, it just so happens that they heard about the efforts of the State Police in supporting the Marine Reserves and the Toys for Tots Program. 

Knowing that the Toys for Tots program would not prefer stuffed animals, the students voyaged back to 5Below and Wal-Mart to make exchanges.  Working with members from 5Below and Wal-Mart, the students were allowed to exchange the stuffed animals for items much needed for the Toys for Tots program. 

On December 16, 2013, Lieutenant Greg Ferry, Staff Sergeant Chuck Johnston, and Lieutenant Nicole Armaganian met with the entire Student Council at the Epsom Central School to collect the toys and will gladly relay them to the Toys for Tots program.

The amount of toys, games, crafts, projects, etc. was impressive.  It was very uplifting to see these young adults so excited to donate toys to less fortunate children.  They were so proud of their efforts….and we were proud for them!  If today’s children are our tomorrow’s future…then the Epsom Central School has shown us that our future is going to be filled with caring and compassionate people!  They are truly role models of the community; great job Epsom Central School!