Slatington Police Officer Anthony Ballerini and Police Chief William Borst recently surprised 28-year-old Jonathan “Jonny” Videira with help decorating his police-themed Christmas tree.

Ballerini and Borst each signed badge-shaped ornaments with personal messages for him.

“I’ll have the rest of our officers stop by to make a badge for Jonny,” Borst said.

The tree glows with blue accents and ornaments honoring law enforcement. A ribbon at the top carried words Jonny holds close: police, hero, pride, honor, duty and courage.

Jonny, who has cerebral palsy, has lived independently since age 19 with the help of a daily home aide. He is a graduate of Nazareth High School.

Known throughout Slatington for his warm smile and steadfast positivity, he can often be found on his favorite bench along Main Street near the bank — the perfect place, he says, for police officers to stop and chat.

“Most people I know said you can’t live by yourself, but I do every day,” Jonny said. “My favorite things are Christmas, police cars, police officers — I just love what they do.”

His admiration for police began with his grandmother, who served for years as a dispatcher in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Jonny also loves photography, a good steak from the Berlinsville Hotel, and his job as a cashier at the Walnutport Giant, where he has worked for five years.

On Thanksgiving morning, he greeted shoppers with a cheerful, “Have a great day!”

“Jonny is truly my inspiration,” said Neicee Martinez, president of Caring DAM Hearts. “It’s very hard for him to walk, but every day he pushes forward.”

Caring DAM Hearts donated Jonny’s Christmas tree as part of its ninth annual Project Warm & Cozy, which joins the third annual Adopt-a-Tree and Community Christmas Trees at Victory Park.

Visitors are encouraged to bring jackets, hats, scarves and gloves, which will be hung at Victory Park through mid-January for anyone in need.