Portsmouth cop walks to brighten the holiday season for others
By Ana Bottary
abottary@abc6.com
@anabottary
Portsmouth Patrolman, Scott Sullivan has been walking since 2 p.m, Thursday. While many sat down to eat their Thanksgiving dinner, Sullivan embarked on his first annual 24–hour walk. To raise awareness for those struggling during the holiday season.
"there’s people who are homeless there’s people who don’t get enough to eat, there’s children. Who thinks about them during the holiday’s? There’s people who fall through the cracks," says Sullivan.
Donations piled up near the track, as Sullivan walks the length of two marathons. Something he believes is a small gesture compared to the help he will provide.
"I have a little bit of pain in my feet, think of someone who has battled cancer, or lost a loved one," adds Sullivan.
His initiative, inspiring people of all ages.
"I donated my allowance, because the parents that don’t have enough money to buy there kids presents.. Now they have some money to buy there kids presents,"says Brooke Finan.
Sullivan says the community has been amazing, dropping off donations and joining him in his walk. He says he has only completed one lap solo. Friends of Sullivan say him giving back in this way, is not surprising.
"Scott’s a real people person, and anything to help anyone else before himself that’s just the way he operates,"says Sullivans close friend Mike Brennan.
Sullivan is collecting money, clothes and toys to help people who have fallen on hard times. But, he knows not all can donate, so instead, he asks everyone to take the challenge this holiday season, to be a good person.
"You can smile, you can help your neighbor, you can pick up trash, you can not get upset about that person who cut you off in traffic, you can say hello to someone,"Sullivan says.
Sullivan has posted a video to Facebook with the challenge. He asks people to respond I will, and to write the town after it. Already, he has received posts from all over the world.
To learn more or to donate to the Portsmouth Police Department Holiday Gift Drive, visit www.ppdholidaydrive.com
(c) WLNE-TV 2015
