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FOP Lodge 2 spreads Christmas cheer

Natalie Combs, 6, has a big smile as she receives presents from Santa. Natalie has fought leukemia for two-and-a-half years. She recently finished chemo and rang the bell. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 18, 2025

The Fraternal Order of Police, Sussex County Lodge 2, held its eighth annual Share Your Christmas event Dec. 14, at Captain’s Pizza restaurant in Long Neck.

The FOP works closely with various school districts that assist Lodge 2 in identifying and selecting a deserving family who otherwise would not have a merry Christmas. 

This year, Lodge 2 sponsored two families who experienced unfortunate medical crises and would not have been able to give their children anything under the tree for Christmas morning. The event was attended by 45 members and guests.

The children braved the cold temperatures to meet Santa, who arrived on a truck from Indian River Volunteer Fire Department with support from the Lewes Fire Department and its on-duty crew members. The children led Santa to the banquet room where presents were already set up by Santa's elves. 

Delaware State Police Troop 7 Community Outreach Coordinator Cpl. Pat Jackson also helped out to make the event a success. 

“The looks on their faces were worth a thousand words,“ said FOP Charity Event Coordinator Robert J. Schappert. “The tears of gratitude and the smiles on their faces said it all.”

“Our primary focus is to help deserving families have a great Christmas,” said FOP President Gregory Bennett. “The children got to see Santa, have a lot of presents to open and have a wonderful meal with the FOP members.”

For more information about the Sussex County FOP, go to fop.net/lodge/sussex-county-lodge-2-inc.

 

Santa gives Peyton Leech one of her many gifts as her brother Kai and mom Emma look on. Emma is recovering from a brain aneurysm.
Corbin Combs, 8, takes a sneak peak at the gifts the FOP elves have helped Santa prepare for the event.
Emma Leech gets the gifts organized for her three children as her daughter Peyton looks on.
Santa poses with the Combs family. Shown are (l-r) Corbin, 8; Santa; Natalie, 6; Tristan, 14; Marie; and Cody. Natalie has fought leukemia for two-and-a-half years. She recently finished chemo and rang the bell.
Santa poses with the Leech children. Shown are (l-r) Kai, 8; Peyton, 6; and Jace, 11.
The Leech family gets together for a post-present picture. Shown in back are (l-r) Mike and Emma. In front are Kai, Peyton and Jace.
Mike Leech helps Santa distribute a present to son Kai.
Santa arrives at the event on an Indian River Volunteer Fire Company truck.
The Leech and Combs families brave the chilly night to welcome Santa to the event.
Tristan Combs receives a present from Santa.
Cody Combs smiles as he carries the presents for his family from the Fraternal Order of Police, Sussex County Lodge 2.
Peyton Leech has a big smile as her mom Emma helps her with a present from Santa. Emma is recovering from a brain aneurysm.
FOP board members and event board members are (l-r) Al Weir, Tina Rivera, Col. Pat Jackson, Bob Schappert, Todd Smith, Jerry Gibson, Laurel Pastor and Chris Whitford.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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