Police officers spreading kindness through South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is celebrating kindness and paying it forward this holiday season by visiting locals deserving of a special treat purchased from local small businesses.

Staff members are not shaving this December for 'Decembeard', and taking the funds collected to buy a gift at a local small business and then deliver to the chosen person....each day for the 12 Days of Christmas. They did the same beard fundraising last month along with City staff for 'Novembeard' which raised money for a cancer charity.

The 2nd Day of Kindness was for Solé Tiggs who had to celebrate her 15th birthday in quarantine after her great-grandfather came down with COVID-19 and was transferred to the ICU. Officers from SLTPD surrounded Solé's home with lights and sirens going, with an officer on bullhorn to announce their arrival for her birthday. The department's robot made its way down the street and delivered a gift to Solé as family watched from the front porch.

Before heading to Solé's home, SLTPD Lt. Travis Cabral stopped by GaiaLicious to buy her a gift card, and then at neighboring Wildwood Makers Market for craft supplies.

Solé's mom Sharon Bedwell told officers her daughter is very interested in being a criminologist, so the police visit was perfect. She was very surprised to have the police deliver her gift in such a unique way,

Funds for the 2nd Day of Kindness came from staff members, the 1st Day of Kindness from the South Lake Tahoe K9 Association

On Wednesday, their first act of kindness recognized Susan Baumflek “The Mask Lady” for the selfless act of sewing and donating over 5,000 face masks since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic!

A gift basket from Cork and More to thank Susan and a $100 gift certificate toward fabric from Focus on Interiors so she can continue her efforts. The local

Focus on Interiors then made an additional fabric donation on top of the gift card.

"We are honored to support our local businesses by purchasing locally and giving back wherever we can," said SLTPD on their Facebook page. "we are honored to give back and share #12daysofkindness to the amazing businesses and community members who are struggling to survive in these tough times and selflessly giving in this time of need.