What to Know
- Twelve-year-old Marisa was given a $100 gift card during the Boston Police Department's Shop with a Cop event.
- Rather than spend the gift card on herself, she used it to purchase presents for her family. The gesture left an impact on Officer Dias.
- Dias was joined by Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore to wish the tween and her family a happy holiday at their Jamaica Plain home.
A 12-year-old girl’s generous Christmas spirit left such an impact on one Boston Police Department Officer that he enlisted the help of Patriots cornerback, Stephon Gilmore, to wish her a happy holiday.
Officer Jorge Dias participated in the department’s 10th annual Shop with a Cop event when he encountered Jamaica Plain resident, Marisa. The tween was given a $100 gift card during the event to purchase whatever she desired but instead of doing so, she selflessly used the card to get gifts for her family.
The girl selected clothes for her parents, her two younger brothers and her older sister. Marisa told the officer that her 13-year-old sister suffers from paralysis and spends the majority of her time in a wheelchair. As a result, the girl's sister is unable to hold many things.
Marisa also purchased stuffed animals for her sister because she is able to hold them and enjoys how soft they are.
"I couldn't get over how special this little girl was," Dias said in a statement. "Not a selfish bone in her body. I was so impressed that I wanted to celebrate her generosity in some way and then, out of the blue, I get a call from Stephon."
The Pats player reached out to Dias in search of a family to buy Christmas presents for. Dias immediately told Gilmore of Marisa’s giving spirit and the two were joined by other officers to spread holiday cheer to the girl and her family.
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Gilmore and the officers visited Marisa and her family at their Bromley Heath Housing Complex home on Monday, where gifts were given and smiles were abundant.
"It's a moment Marisa and her family will never forget," Dias said. "And, the best part, she deserves every bit of it."
