NEWTOWN, Pa. — A Newtown Township woman who founded "Fuel the Force" in late 2021 has announced plans to expand the campaign to the rest of Bucks County with more ambitious plans to take it nationwide

Late last year, Christina Nelson officially launched "Fuel the Force," which uses public donations to provide free meals to on duty police officers at designated restaurants and eateries in their municipalities.

The seeds were planted at La Stalla Italian Market in Newtown Township where Nelson has worked since the Sycamore Street market opened its doors.

"Whenever I was on and a police officer came in for lunch, I would buy them lunch," said Nelson. "It was just a kind gesture that I could do. I just felt they needed to be shown love and support given what was going on in the country."

That little gesture led to the creation of "Fuel the Force," which has now spread to seven Bucks County municipalities, including Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Yardley Borough, Lower Makefield, Middletown, Upper Makefield and Warwick, where on duty officers can stop by a locally designated restaurant or eatery and enjoy a free lunch.

"Our police officers risk their lives every day to serve and protect us and our community," said Nelson. "Let's give them something in return by treating them to lunch while they are on duty to show our gratitude. It's the least we can do!"

The idea is simple. Members of the community make donations, either in person or through a GoFundMe page, to a designated restaurant. That money is then set aside by the restaurant to pay for the meal of any police officer who stops by for a meal while on duty.

Participating restaurants, to date, include La Stalla Market in Newtown, Colonial Farms in Upper Makefield, Tre Fratelli in Middletown, Villa Rosa in Yardley-Makefield and just added, Randazzo's Pizza in Warwick.

"When these officers come in and get a sandwich it is so much more than a sandwich to them. It's knowing that a community member paid their own money to say, 'Here's a meal on us,'" said Nelson. "In my Italian world when you give someone a meal that is huge love. That is immense support. That speaks volumes. And to that police officer, that gesture alone just helps them so much because it counteracts the negatives that they are hearing on a daily basis."

Since piloting the program last December, Nelson said the community has raised more than $17,000, including a generous $5,000 donation from the Newtown Athletic Club's "Have A Heart" campaign, to help Fuel the Force in Bucks County.

In addition to the meals, Nelson threw a massive gala for Bucks County's law enforcement officers with plans for more sit-down meals in the future.

The first was held May 25th at Rafters in Newtown and drew more than 230 officers representing 12 different departments. It featured guest speaker Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub and Newtown Area District Judge Mick Petrucci. And the entire dinner was paid for by donations from the community.

"The food was incredible. You name it and these cops had it. And I had 21 amazing raffle items where the officers won everything from restaurant to spa gift certificates," said Nelson.

Inspired by Nelson's giving spirit, Jim Worthington, the owner of the Newtown Athletic Club, stood up at the event and announced that he was giving every officer in the county a free three month family membership to the NAC.

"We are talking 1,000 officers in Bucks County. It was just an incredible gesture," said Nelson.

And the response to the evening was equally incredible, added Nelson. "I received so many notes and emails from officers saying they couldn't believe someone would do this for them. They were stunned. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time because I feel that all first responders deserve this level of gratitude. They not only felt an immense gratitude for what everyone in the community had given, they felt rejuvenated."

Nelson held a second event at the Newtown Athletic Club featuring a pool party and a Texas-style barbecue. The owner of Texas BBQ donated food for 250 officers.

"It has been an incredible journey. It was on my heart to do this and I just did it," said Nelson who gets emotional as she talks about it. "People don't realize how much these cops need your support and need to know your support is there."

Nelson hopes people and business owners will be inspired to give and to support Fuel the Force. She's also hoping her story inspires others to follow their hearts and to make a difference in their communities.

"If there is something on your heart that you have been thinking about for a long time, go out there and do it," she said.

For more information, email fueltheforcenewtown@gmail.com. At Facebook: Fuel the Force. Instagram: Fuel_The_Force. You can also type in "Fuel The Force" on Gofundme.com.

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