CLEARFIELD – In Galatians 5:22-23, scripture says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
An eight-year-old girl, Lilly Merrow, who is a third-grade student at the St. Francis Catholic School, Clearfield, was a reflection of those attributes Oct. 12 at Ethan’s Café.
Lilly was sharing lunch with her mom, Stacy, at the same time as local police officers, Sgt. Greg Neeper and Nathan Curry of the Clearfield Borough police and Julie Curry and Elliott Neeper of the Lawrence Township police.
Lilly sought to thank the officers for their service to her community. She told her mom that she wished to use her allowance money to buy the officers’ lunch.
Lilly and her mom shared her wish with waitress Ginger Schwartz, who offered to tell the officers their bill had been taken care of. However, Lilly wished to tell them personally and express her thanks for all they do.
“Everyone should respect them. They help protect our country and keep us safe,” said Lilly, who couldn’t “stop smiling” after the officers presented her with a special plaque.
The plaque was presented to Lilly after school Wednesday in the banquet room at the café. It was in recognition of her act of kindness with great appreciation for her support of police and the safety of her community.
“Thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty,” Officer Nathan Curry read during the plaque presentation. She was also invited by the officers to visit her local police department for a special tour.
Sgt. Greg Neeper said the officers are occasionally treated to lunch or dinner while on duty. “But not by an eight-year-old,” he said. “This was the first time; she’s such a sweet kid.
He added: “This just shows there are young children with values, family support and understanding of the duty of first responders. Young children, like Lilly, are our future police officers, firefighters and EMTs.”
That day, Lilly’s gesture warmed the hearts of not only her local police officers, but also the Ethan’s Café staff. The staff rewarded Lilly with a bag of cookies to take home.
Lilly will continue to be a reflection of kindness this Christmas season. She shared her plans for giving to her local food pantry, Toys for Tots and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
