By David Slone
Times-Union
WARSAW — Approximately 138 kids from throughout the county got to go shopping at Meijer Thursday evening with law enforcement during the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 149’s annual “Christmas with A Cop.”
Warsaw Police Department patrolman Jeff Ticknor, who is also the treasurer-secretary for FOP 149, said each kid got to spend $150, which is up from years past.
“We also got a generous donation from FlowTech and Lewis Salvage for everyone to either get coats or boots, and that’s on top of the $150 that they’re getting,” he said.
If the kids didn’t need a coat for this year, they were encouraged to get one at a size up for next year.
“That way you have one for next year if you don’t need it (this year) because we have the funds for it, so we’d like to use them for that, because that’s what the sponsors wanted,” Ticknor said.
Participating kids came from all the elementary schools in Kosciusko County, including Head Start; families recommended by Child Protective Services; and eight boys from Pierceton Woods Academy.
“We thought it would be a good way (for them) to have a positive interaction with law enforcement,” Ticknor said of the boys from Pierceton Woods Academy. “It’s the first time we’ve done that because we try to do elementary-age kids for the most part. But we wanted to do something for them since they (PWA) reached out, and, hopefully, it’s a good experience for them.”
Law enforcement from all the departments in the county, as well as Indiana State Police and the Department of Natural Resources, were invited to do the shopping with the kids, whether they are members of FOP 149 or not.
“Even if they’re not members of the FOP, we encourage officers to come, which we have a lot of officers that aren’t members come and do this because they really enjoy it. Their wives and kids also enjoy it,” Ticknor stated.
Lodge 149 President and WPD Det. Sgt. Ryan Moore said their golf outing in the summer is their only fundraiser every year for Christmas with A Cop.
“All of the funds our donors have given us will cover this. We’ve got 140 kids. We’re going to spend $150 on each kid, plus FlowTech and Lewis Salvage gave us a very generous donation and told us that they want to buy the kids winter coats or snow boots. So that’s the plan. Every kid is going to walk out of here with a new coat or a new pair of snow boots. That was awesome and that was great,” Moore stated.
The Lodge has had Christmas with A Cop at Meijer for a number of years, and Moore said Meijer has been great to work with.
“They give us a huge donation every year, anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000. They open this up, they donate the punch and cookies to us. They make sure they’re stocked up on all of the goods that we need. They do a great job. We love coming to Meijer,” Moore stated.
He pointed out how fun the event is for everyone.
“We’ve got officers everywhere. They love coming and helping. The kids love it. Santa and Mrs. Claus are here. It’s great,” Moore said. “We’re going to keep doing it every year until there’s not a need for it. We’ll be here.”
If anyone wants to support future events, they can sponsor a hole or team at the golf outing or play in the golf outing, or send donations through the FOP 149’s PayPal, which is FOP149@gmail.
“They can call any of the police departments and they’ll put them in contact with any of our board members at the FOP and we can get cash or checks,” Moore said.
Along with main sponsors FlowTech and Lewis Salvage, other sponsors for Christmas with A Cop included American Table, Angelina Cigars, Best Deal Auto, Bowen Health, Crouse, Grossnickle Eye Center, Kiesler Police Supply, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Investments, Lake City Bank, The Mucky Duck, Lassus Brothers, Metzger Trucking, Miller Sewer and Drain, R&G Auto Repair; Rockhill Pinnick, Silveus Insurance, Warsaw Lodge 73 F & AM, Warsaw Noon Optimist Club, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club and Ye Olde Tackle Box.
