Little Girl Battling Cancer Finds Joy Collecting Patches

Photo courtesy Covalito Family

   SOUTH TOMS RIVER  – In March, 4-year-old Sophia Covalito of South Toms River  was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor that has spread to her spine and the lining of her brain, causing blindness in her right eye.

  Through her journey, Sophia has found that collecting first responder patches brings her happiness. Her mother Lindsay explains that it all started when the South Toms River Police Department made her an honorary officer.

Sophia has since added patches from South Toms River EMS and the Lavallette Police Department.

  If you would like to help make Sophia’s patch collection grow bigger, you can drop patches off in the mail and send them to the Lavallette Police Department at PBA 372, P.O. Box 372 Lavallette, NJ 08735.