Enforcing Kindness: Howell Police Lift Spirits By Helping Community

HOWELL, NJ — The photos fill up the Howell Township Police Department's Facebook page: Police officers with youngsters, or at local businesses, in uniform, looking very official.

But these are not photos of people accused of wrongdoing, or of photos of officers investigating a crime. These are moments of kindness, of good acts, of assistance given, that have been documented.

In the last month, Howell officers have been partictularly busy, from raising money to assist patients being treated for cancer through the CentraState Healthcare Foundation through the No-Shave November fundraiser, to taking youngsters with special needs bowling.

The bowling party had 140 children who participated in the event at Howell Lanes, which included a catered breakfast, hours of bowling with uniformed Howell PBA members, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus.

"On their way out, they each got to pick a new toy to take home," the post said.

Howell officers helped serve the homeless during the annual Thanksgiving meal at the Colonial Coffee Shoppe, serving food, waiting tables and just providing company and conversation to the guests.

That, of course, was just hours after Howell police officers delivered 150 holiday meals to residents in need, most of them senior citizens, the department noted.

"The event is organized by Dr. Hal Ornstein and his wife Anna, Gene Young, owner of Young's Appliance, the Howell PBA, Howell Senior Services Director Melanie Decker, the kids who decorated the bags, and the amazing people from the community who donated all the food," the department's post said.

The effort was highlighted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office in its "Random Acts of Copness" social media campaign.

The Howell Township Police Department and its PBA continue their efforts in myriad ways. They are collecting toys through Monday for the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association's toy drive to benefit the underprivileged children from Foster & Adoptive Family Services. All toys dropped off to the Howell Police Department will be taken to Edison on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 a.m.

The PBA is quick to thank those who support its activities; the bowling party benefits from "the assistance and dedication of our local businesses, school district officials, special education teachers, and volunteer supporters. Sincere thanks to: Neil and Charlie and their crew at Howell Lanes, Renee Friedman Chiropractic, Howell School Superintendent Mr. Joseph Isola and his supervisors and staff, NJ Transit Garage, Target, and all who help throughout the year."

And while No Shave November has ended, the Crowdrise fundraiser was still accessible as of Sunday. "Any donation of $25 or more invites you to sign our cancer awareness vehicle," the department says in promoting that campaign to support the CentraState Medical Center cancer patients fund. "Let's help them help others by growing their 'stache' (get it-mustache/stash of money ... never mind)."

Yes, in addition to being generous, they're a pretty humorous bunch.

Photos via Howell Township Police 911 Communications