Police surprise drivers, pedestrians with $100 giveaway

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The Danville Police Association decided to get into the holiday spirit on Wednesday by making 30 stops of random citizens and giving them $100.

15-year-old Eric Bridges was one of the lucky few who benefited from this program. When he was pulled over by an unmarked police car on Wednesday morning, his mind was on his upcoming history final. But then, Public Safety Director Larry Thomason handed him an envelope with $100 in it, and he was stunned speechless.

Watch One Ma’s Reaction to the $100 Giveaway (VIDEO)

“I’m still shocked,” Bridges said, noting that he hadn’t decided whether to spend or save the money yet.

JoNita McBride was Thomason’s first stop that morning, and she gave him a warm hug when he handed her the envelope.

“I was pulling out my driver’s license and he said, ‘I don’t need it,” said a teary McBride. “I got three new grandbabies so you know where that’s going.”

Thomason said that he got the idea from his officers, who had heard similar stories about giveaways from other departments.

“They’re always looking for a way to help someone,” the excited Thomason said, adding that he hoped that people who had been part of the program would “pay it forward.”

“You hear that so much of that, and that’s the kind of heart you have in this community,” Thomason said.