BUTLER TWP — A dozen hard-boiled troopers at the Butler Barracks on Thursday were turned into grinning softies by the innocent kindness of a little girl.

Brooke Yost, 9, of Butler found she was short by about a dollar while attempting to buy some doughnut holes on Aug. 29 at the Sheetz convenience store at Route 68 and Meridian Road.

“I was standing in line and I didn't have enough money and I'm like, frozen,” said Brooke. “I didn't know what to do.”

Luckily for her, Trooper Chad Savannah was the next guy in line at the store and not thinking twice, reached into his wallet and plucked out the cash to pay for her snack.

That small act of kindness snowballed into an exchange of events between the police and the Yost family that culminated Thursday in an emotional ceremony of appreciation for Brooke at the barracks.

As she recalls it, after Brooke got in the car with her cup of doughnut holes she realized she hadn't at least partially reimbursed Savannah for the purchase with the money she had.

“So later that night, I decided to write a letter (to Savannah) saying thank you to him for giving me the money,” Brooke recalled.

Included in the letter was $20 from her parents, Dave and Beth Yost, for the troopers to donate to the charity of their choice.

About six weeks later, Brooke received a letter from the barracks thanking her for the donation and inviting her in for a tour.

Lt. Dan Hines, Troop D's patrol commander, and the other troopers were so touched by Brook's letter and donation that they went a step further and took up a collection for Brooke.

“A lot of us are parents,” Hines said, “and we hope that our own children have these traits and characteristics.”

So Hines decided to pay the family a visit.

“On Nov. 26, Lt. Hines came to our door and personally gave me a paper and $70,” Brooke said. “He said I can treat myself to something or donate some of it.”

Brooke said she treated her parents and sisters Rylee, 8, and Holly, 18 to dinner and used the remaining $20 to buy items for the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive.

Meanwhile, Hines was enjoying a meal at a local restaurant with other officers when he was approached by an employee.

“She said 'Lt. Hines? I'm Brooke's mother,'” recalled Hines.

Hines congratulated Yost on raising such a conscientious daughter and related how touched the troopers were with her letter and generosity.

In the course of the conversation with Yost, Hines learned that both parents work two jobs and Holly also works.

So Troop D Commanding Officer Steve Ignatz, Hines, Savannah and nine other troopers hosted the Yosts at the barracks on Thursday, where Brooke received a letter of commendation from Troop D, plus several gift cards and presents.

“You are a very generous young lady, and we appreciate that,” said Ignatz.

Savannah presented an overwhelmed, sniffling Brooke with a cup of doughnut holes.

“I believe these are the kind that you like,” Savannah said as Brooke managed a giggle.

Brooke was also shocked to receive an official Certificate of Appreciation and Toys for Tots commemorative coin from Sam Zurzola, the Sergeant Major from Toys for Tots.

“If we all followed your example, the world would be a much better place to live in,” said Zurzola as a large block of medals dangled from the front of his Marines uniform. “We need more young people like you.”

In return, Brooke presented the troopers with three dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies her mother helped her make on Thursday morning. Brooke got a day off from McQuistion Elementary School due to Wednesday night's snowfall, and spent the morning baking for the troopers.

“Well thank you,” said Hines. “I may have to loosen my (bulletproof) vest a little.”

Asked after the presentation why he handed over the money to pay for Brooke's treat back in August, Savannah said he is also a father.

“So when the clerk gave her total and it was more than the $2 she was holding, I saw the look of disappointment on her face,” Savannah said. “No kid should have to go through that.”

Brooke and Rylee received a few spins around the barracks in a police cruiser and the whole family got a tour of the barracks on Thursday.

“We're just overwhelmed,” said Beth Yost. “Brooke was just trying to do the right thing and it kind of snowballed into this.”

She said Brooke's annual Christmas list always begins with items she wants to buy for her family members, followed by the things she wants.

“She's always been very giving,” Yost said.

Asked what effect she thinks the interaction with the troopers has had on all three of her daughters, Yost said “I think it gave them an even greater respect for the police.”

Brooke was almost unable to verbalize how she felt about the troopers' generosity to her family on Thursday.

“I just appreciate it a lot,” she said.