05/28/2026
At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, the DSP Aviation Section partnered with Appoquinimink School District's Crystal Run Elementary School in the Community Connection Initiative where the students competed to design a t-shirt, sell the shirts to raise money, and use the proceeds to purchase toy helicopter building block sets. These toys are routinely given to pediatric patients flown by DSP Aviation crews in hopes of making their day a lighter brighter and to help them through a difficult time.
That story was shared by the DSP Public Information Office and posted across DSP's social media platforms. The story caught the attention of Ms. Kristen Geracimos, a 5th grade teacher at North Star Elementary School in Hockessin. She was inspired to encourage her class to do their own fundraising to purchase additional toy helicopter sets and help DSP Aviation Section's efforts. She also reached out to Cpl. Brian Whitehead, a Trooper Medic with DSP, to help her facilitate the initiative. Students participated in a pie throwing competition, with yes, the teachers as the prime targets, and they raised enough money to place their order for the toys. One particular student wanted to do more, Michael Sylvester. He approached his parents and asked to donate his own money in hopes of helping his class reach their goal of buying 20 toy sets... with his help, they did it.
On May 27th, Capt. Jeff Whitmarsh, Lt. Jay Baxley, and Corporal Whitehead responded to the school and met with the students. The children made posters to welcome the Troopers, and in turn, heard all about the mission of the Aviation Section. After the presentation, Ms. Geracimos shared Michael's story and explained how he donated his own $50 to get the class to the finish line. Impressed by his generosity, Michael was presented with a DSP Aviation Challenge Coin.
The Aviation Section salutes Ms. Geracimos, Michael, and the rest of her 5th grade class.
