On Monday, Dec. 18, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), is hosting a holiday party — its first in four years — at the DoubleTree Hotel in Cherry Hill.

As an organization at Cherry Hill High School East that works with children with intellectual disabilities in elementary schools, FOP consists of East students who decorate and plan for the hope of carrying out a successful holiday party. The organization dates back several years; most members’ parents were involved in the club before their children. This year, the organization is hosting a holiday party for around 400 of these children.

“We are always making decorations and decorating this ballroom so we can all play with the kids,” said Jacob Gilman (‘24), an FOP board member.

Due to Covid-19, FOP was forced to decorate the classrooms of elementary schools in recent years; this year, the club members are finally able to spend time with these children in a bigger and more comfortable setting.

Another FOP board member, Jenna McGovern (‘24), mentions that the party will feature two rooms: one room will be for the general party; another room will be for Santa Claus, the Phillie Phanatic and several inflatable decorations.

To get involved in FOP, all one has to do is remain committed. Gilman clarifies that FOP meetings are based on attendance. Therefore, whoever is constantly showing up to make decorations and plan the entertainment for the children, would be considered a qualified candidate for a board position.

From decorations, to sessions with Santa, to dancing to the music played by the disc jockey, the FOP holiday party plans to illuminate the faces of each child in attendance.