Manchester 3rd-Graders Thank First Responders With Art

MANCHESTER, NJ — Three Manchester Township third-graders showed their support for local first responders during the coronavirus crisis by creating inspiring messages.

Those messages are now displayed on the township's electronic signboard on Route 37.

Manchester Township police praised the students from Ridgeway Elementary School in a post on Facebook.

"Three third-grade students from Ridgeway Elementary School used their awesome artwork to share messages of support for our firefighters, EMTs and police officers," the police department said, part of a card- and letter-writing campaign by the school.

"Some of those cards, from Savannah K, Alex Z., and Anna P., are being displayed on our Route 37 electronic signboard," police said.

"This act of kindness shown by our students is just another example of how wonderful our community is and how residents always come together to support each other," Chief Lisa Parker said. "Thank you to the staff and students at Ridgeway Elementary for thinking of our police officers, EMTs, and firefighters. We truly appreciate your support, as well as the many kind words and gestures we've received from countless others in our community. The encouragement, thoughtfulness, and generosity has been so inspiring and uplifting during these ever-changing times."

"At a time like this, a reminder from the children of our community to stay strong and resilient is incredibly reassuring," said James Gant, the township's assistant business administrator. "These kids are having to deal with a lot also, and we're beyond thankful for their words of encouragement to our brave first responders."

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