Elmont students participate in Cards for Cops

Stewart Manor School students spread holiday cheer to local Nassau County police officers by participating in Beyond the Badge’s fifth annual Cards for Cops drive.

Beyond the Badge is a local nonprofit with the mission to raise mental health awareness in the first responder community.

Students in pre-K through sixth grade created holiday cards in class for the Nassau County Police Department. This year, Stewart Manor was chosen as the school the police would visit and collect the cards in person.

On Dec. 19, the NCPD hosted a celebration to thank Stewart Manor for their participation in the card drive and to collect the holiday cards.

Detective Lt. Richard Lebrun led the assembly, introducing various NCPD units to the students, such as the K-9 and Bureau of Special Operations units. Students also met NCPD mascot Leo the lion, who entered the gym to excited cheers.

After the students handed their cards to the police officers, they headed outside to see NCPD divisions up close. The NCPD had officers with horses from the Mounted Division, officers on motorcycles from the Highway Patrol Division, an officer with dog Moose from the K-9 Division, officers from the Emergency Services Unit with their truck, and officers from Bureau of Special Operations with their truck. The NCPD also flew a helicopter above the school. The students asked questions and excitedly took photos with the units.