We’re proud to share that the Allegheny Township Police Department was recently recognized in the Eddie Eagle Newsletter for their ongoing commitment to childhood gun safety education. Sgt. Charity Hollis and the team have been bringing the Eddie Eagle Program to local schools and community events—empowering children with a simple, memorable message that can save lives. Check out the spotlight below to learn more about their efforts and the heartwarming impact they’re making across the township.
Excerpt from Eddie Eagle Summer 2025 Newsletter
Community Spotlight
Allegheny Township Police Department – Pennsylvania
Sgt. Charity Hollis and the Allegheny Township PD have been teaching the Eddie Eagle Program for several years. It was first discovered through their School Resource Officer Program, where they searched for safety initiatives to implement in their schools. They reached out to the NRA to get started. Sgt. Hollis credits the staff at NRA Headquarters for making the implementation process smooth and straightforward. She states that ordering materials and receiving them at no cost through grant funds simplifies sharing the program with local children and their families.
Her favorite aspect of the program is the Eddie Eagle shuffle! The catchy message makes it enjoyable and easy for children to remember. She recounts a visit to a neighboring school for an event where a young boy approached her. He shared that he had recently transferred from a school in her district and introduced her to one of his new friends. He told his friend that Sgt. Hollis is friends with Eddie Eagle
and that he once met Eddie! When she asked if he remembered Eddie’s message, he instantly jumped up from the table and sang “Stop! Don’t Touch! Run Away! Tell a Grown-Up!” while performing the Eddie Eagle shuffle. It’s stories like this that motivate Allegheny Township to continue spreading this lifesaving message.
Currently, they present the program in three elementary schools, reaching approximately 1,000 students. They recently received an NRA Foundation State Fund grant to purchase the Eddie Eagle mascot costume, which will help them expand the program’s implementation to include community events. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future!”
