Converse community, SAPD bike patrol chip in to make Christmas special for local family
by Jim Lefko, News4SA, December 25th 2019
Photo: Two of the three new bicycles Nicole Dempsey's kids got from the SAPD Bike Patrol for Christmas (SBG photo)
Nicole Dempsey was dreading her first Christmas as a single parent. Finances are tight and she couldn't afford a tree.
Dempsey decided to post a Facebook message several days ago on the city of Converse's community page. She wanted to know if anyone had an old Christmas tree she could use.
The mother of three got a lot more than she asked for, and was ultimately overwhelmed with the response.
In addition to a new tree and ornaments, each of her kids got at least 10 gifts. Dempsey also received gift cards and some cash.
The San Antonio Police Department bike patrol contributed something too. Each of her children got a brand new bike and matching helmet.
"This is probably the best Christmas they’ve had," Dempsey told us today, choking up at the kindness of strangers, particularly those in Converse.
"I was able to make Christmas, thanks to the community. They really came through for us," she says.
Her children were having a blast today, trying out their new bikes and playing with the new toys.
"It means a lot to them," Dempsey says. "It’s their first year as a one-parent household. It's been a big change and this really helped. Everybody just rallied together for us and made it work."
Dempsey, who cleans SAPD facilities for a living, lives in a small apartment near D.W. Rutledge Stadium.
"Everybody is extremely happy," she says. "It really changed things."