A 12-year-old resident delivered more than 200 positive messages and cards.
READINGTON -- Township Police received a Thanksgiving surprise on Wednesday afternoon.
Mateo Hollain, 12, stopped by the police station and presented Chief Sebastian Donaruma with a "prayer shield" for each officer.
The prayer shield is a small medallion that depicts the image of St. Michael, the Patron Saint of Police. Mateo was able to purchase the prayer shields with money he raised by decorating and selling pumpkins in October.
Along with the prayer shields, Mateo also delivered more than 200 positive messages and cards.
The cards came from students at Readington Middle School. When the student council heard what Mateo was doing it wanted to get involved, so Mateo placed a "box of appreciation" at Readington Middle School.
Mateo asked his fellow students to send a positive message or ask a question of Readington Police. The box was quickly filled with the cards Mateo provided, so students created their own Thanksgiving cards, sending additional positive messages for the police.
PLUS: Student's motto is his website: Live for a Cause
"I would like to commend Mateo for all of the excellent work he has done and for being such a positive role model," said Donaruma.
"With all of the negative events throughout the world, Mateo is a ray of hope and should inspire us all."
For more information about this and other projects Mateo has organized go to his website, liveforacause.net.
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.
