It is astounding to think of the impact that one person can have on so many people without fully realizing it.
Thirty years ago, when John Behrens was a young officer, he had a very tough task: He had to tell 9-year-old Jennifer Clark that her mother took her own life. Instead of using those words, he told her, "your mommy died."
It was a tough time but he wanted to comfort this young girl. After inspecting her house, he and his fellow officers found Jennifer's Christmas list.
To get in the spirit of giving and hoping to cheer this little girl up, John and the other members of the Salem Police Department raised money to buy every single thing on her Christmas list.
The remaining money was then spent on buying gifts for other children who needed them. What they couldn't have predicted is that this tradition would continue for the next 30 years.
Despite not seeing Jennifer since she was a little girl, John remembered her brown eyes. As he felt he was a reminder of her mother's death, he never reached out to her.
But in celebration of the toy drive's 30th anniversary, the current organizer, Deputy Chief Steve Bellshaw, arranged a meeting between John and Jennifer.
The meeting was full of tears but also hugs and happiness.
If you love seeing such hope from a moment of such sadness, you will also enjoy seeing this cop consoling a little girl after her mother and sister were injured in a car accident.
Don't forget to SHARE this incredible story with all your friends and family to remind them why the Christmas season is the time for giving back to others!
