UPDATE (9:45 a.m.): The Hollywood Police Department finally connected with the boy who surprised officers with a thank-you card containing all his piggy bank money.
After seeing coverage of his gift on TV, the boy went to the department to end the mystery grateful officers were trying to solve. And he didn't arrive empty-handed, either.
"We all know he has a heart of gold, and he even brought our officers breakfast when he came to introduce himself. We made him an awesome goody bag with a bunch of HPD gear in it, gave him a tour of some of our vehicles, (and) he was able to hang out with some our detectives, and then our officers surprised him on Christmas!"
Although the department now knows the identity of their mystery admirer, they won't be sharing that information at the request of the family, and "he will remain our 'Secret Santa.'
"We just wanted to share with everyone the joy he brought our Department this holiday season," the department added.
Original Story
Florida police are searching for a generous resident who recently left a note filled with cash for the department.
Last week, the Hollywood Police Department received a Christmas card thanking officers for their work, WPLG-TV reports. Tucked inside the card were several folded up dollar bills.
"From my piggy bank to you," read the card.
The note and thoughtful Christmas gift touched many in the department, especially at the end of the year that had proved trying for many in law enforcement, said police spokeswoman Deanna Bettineschi. But the department hit a snag when it came to reaching out and thanking kind supporter.
“The problem is there’s no return address,” Bettineschi said.
Calls for help identifying the civilian Santa Claus were posted on social media by the department, and the public has been passing along any clues that might help. But the thoughtful individual continues to elude the agency and its officers, who want to thank him for his heartwarming surprise.
“Hopefully they will see this on TV, maybe his parents will see it and say, 'That's my child,'” Bettineschi told WPLG.