The Plymouth Police Academy and The Action Team are partnering for a car wash in Marshfield, to benefit Cops for Kids with Cancer.
Laicey Ieronimo, founder of The Action Team and community services officer for the 72nd ROC, says the event is in memory of the late Danny Sheehan.
“He had an impact on the community, just showing how he was so brave and very dedicated to cheering up other people, even in his situation,” said Ieronimo. “I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times and getting to know his family very well. He just was the sweetest boy ever. To do something in memory of him is very special to me, and I know it’s special to the 72nd as well.”
Sheehan was an eight-year-old from Marshfield who battled aggressive brain cancer for four years. He passed away in August of last year.
Ieronimo, of Carver, wanted to thank local police departments, including Plympton Police Chief Matt Ahl, for their support in this initiative.
The Plympton Police Department presented Sheehan with a sergeant’s badge from their department after meeting him. He’s an honorary officer with both the Marshfield and Plympton Police Departments.
Cops for Kids with Cancer gives $5,000 dollar checks to families with a child afflicted with cancer. Families have used the funds to cover bills, family trips, or other unexpected expenses.
David Craig, President of the 72nd, says this cause was easy to rally for.
“It’s a great organization. Cancer is no joke, especially in a child…
Once we become officers, it’s kind of what we’ll do, helping the community out in any way we can. It’s nice that we can get the ball rolling, get used to being out there in the community,” said Craig. “There are student officers in our class that have kids, so it makes a big impact for them as well.”
He’s a recruit officer for the town of Holliston.
For the 48-member ROC class, they’ve planned six events to help the community.
It started with a drop-it weight loss challenge, where the class raised $13,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
They followed up with the class participating in the Sgt. Sean Gannon Memorial 5K race, and a bake sale to benefit Massachusetts Vest-A-Dog, raising $2,300.
“Ninety-eight percent of the credit goes to Ieronimo. She has a committee of our student officers, and she heads it,” said Craig. “She comes to me and says ‘I have this idea,’ and I’m like let’s go – let’s do it. She really has been pushing community service, community events, helping people any way we can.”
Their next events include participating in a K9 road race in Rehoboth, and putting together hygiene kits for the homeless.
Ieronimo, a recruit for Plympton PD, said the academy is like a big family.
“I also think it’s helpful to have the support from the academy staff, and Director, Eileen Goodick. They are on board with every event, help in every way, and show up as well,” said Ieronimo. “It’s also beneficial to connect these events with The Action Team, because that just gets a wider audience able to come.”
The Cops for Kids with Cancer fundraiser takes place on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Furnace Brook Middle School in Marshfield.
