Connecticut Police Officer Thanks New Jersey Girl Scout

Kindness came full circle this month at William Mason Elementary School in Montville, NJ.

Since fall 2013, Officer Phil Taborda, a School Resource Officer from the Norwalk, CT Police Department, has been trying to say thank you for a simple act of kindness that touched his heart. But, the officer didn’t know who to thank. All he knew was the first name, Mia, and a bit of information written on a small gift card. His search for Mia took him on a journey across four states. Along the way he met many people who wanted to help. He made some new friends and grew closer to those he loves.

At William Mason, under the direction of Guidance Counselor, L. Teresa Gorgia, students have spent the entire school year committing “Acts of Kindness” and “Paying it Forward.” The hallways have been filled with hearts of kindness. The bulletin boards are covered with post it notes highlighting kind acts. Students have participated in Respect Week, handed out smiles, and held fundraisers for those in need. Kindness is a priority at William Mason.

At MetLife Stadium, former Giants running back and winning Superbowl XXI team member, Joe Morris, organized a special football game for some special people. He, and the New York Giants, invited First Responders, who assisted in Newtown, CT in December 2012, to play on the professional field.

Judith Pedersen, a former Montville resident, and Director and Founder of Hearts of Hope, continued to organize volunteers from her Pennsylvania home. She regularly sends ceramic hearts throughout the area for volunteers to paint and deliver as gifts to people going through difficult times in their lives. More than 45,000 ceramic hearts have been distributed since the program’s inception in 2002.

One afternoon, William Mason fourth grader, Mia Migliorino, of Montville Girl Scout Troop #4249, volunteered with her troop to paint some Hearts of Hope. When she painted her heart, she had no idea who the recipient would be, only that it would be someone going through a difficult time. She was instructed to sign the card with only her first name, and a little something about herself. Mia wrote, “I like soccer.”

In the last days of school, at an impromptu assembly, organized at the request of Officer Taborda, all these separate acts of kindness came together in one story.

“We’re here to recognize one of our own students who did something so kind and wonderful,” Gorgia said. “How far can an act of kindness go?”

Over the next few minutes the fourth grade students of William Mason, and Mia, found out exactly how far an act of kindness can go.

Taborda, who played at the game Morris organized at MetLife Stadium, received a gift bag upon leaving the stadium that day.

“I chose one,” Taborda said of the bags. “For some reason, I don’t know why, I put that one down, and then I picked up a different one.”

On the way home, Taborda opened the bag. Inside he found Mia’s painted Hearts of Hope with the card that said “I like soccer.”

Taborda also likes soccer. In fact he has played soccer his entire life. He played as a child. He played in high school and college. He played in Europe, and now he is the Assistant Varsity soccer coach at his old high school. The Head coach is his high school friend and former teammate. Like Mia, Taborda likes soccer.

When Taborda saw that message, he knew he had to find Mia and say thank you. It took from fall to spring, but with the help of Pedersen and her many volunteers, they followed lead after lead until they located Mia at William Mason Elementary School. Working with Gorgia and Principal David Melucci, an assembly was organized in less than a week. Mia’s parents were informed and Mia was successfully surprised to find the assembly was in her honor.

“I don’t know why I went back for a different bag,” Taborda told the group.

But, the fact that he did, and the fact that Mia’s gift was inside, means the world to the young officer.

“I want to thank Mia from the bottom of my heart,” Taborda said. “You have no idea who is receiving the hearts, but you do it because you care.”

Before concluding the assembly, Taborda asked the students to do a bit of summer homework.

“If you come across a First Responder, this summer, or anytime,” he said. “Go up to them, shake their hand, and say thank you.”

Taborda’s parents, and his fiancé and her daughter joined him at the assembly. Mia’s parents and Joe Morris also attended. Judith Pedersen and Hearts of Hope organized the event.