Atlantic City Local takes on
special Christmas mission
The Atlantic City Local 24 Christmas
party started off as something special
when Santa arrived in a BearCat. Days
before, members had been working to
turn it into a day to remember for fam-
ilies from the Atlantic City Rescue Mis-
sion.
Each unit and shift from the depart-
ment adopted a child or family resid-
ing at the mission to give them a prop-
er Christmas. And on Dec. 20, Local 24
members turned the Moose Lodge into
a haven for their adopted families.
Initially, the plan was to go to the
mission to take photos of the kids with
Santa.
“We thought we could do better than
just going to the mission for photos, so
the idea of an actual Christmas party
was hatched,” said Local 24 member
Heidi Clayton, who took the lead for
this special Christmas mission. “The
number of gifts everyone pulled to-
gether was sincerely generous and very
much appreciated.”
The idea to have the party was the
result of a brainstorm by Clayton, Offi-
cer Jose Gonzalez and Barbara Gutjahr,
owner of Blue Door Photography, who
took the photos. Officer Jared Ingenito
played Santa and picked up the fami-
lies in the BearCat.
“He stepped up huge and hit his
Santa routine out of the park,” Clay-
ton commented. “One of the little girls
commented that Santa was the funni-
est person she had ever met.”
Local 24 President Matt Rogers se-
cured the use of the Moose Lodge.
Many members also contributed to the
success of the event.
Officer Steve Rando not only spon-
sored a child individually but answered
the demand to provide the bread. De-
tectives Ermindo Marsini and Nick
Berardis delivered food donated by
local family businesses, and Officer Ju-
lie Lawler prepared the feast like a top
chef.
Retired members Mike Ruzzo and
Paul Barbare also donated food and
money. And Officers Jamie Moore and
Gary Stowe came early to put up the
decorations.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ JANUARY 2019 53