HANCOCK COUNTY — It’s the time of the year law enforcement officials and families in need look forward to, when officers meet up and shop with children, buying them clothes, shoes and even a few toys to brighten the Christmas holiday.
While organizers from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Greenfield Police Department and other county law enforcement agencies still plan to hold their shop-with-a-cop programs, the outreach will have a different look this year thanks to COVID-19.
Amy West runs the “Shop with a Deputy” program for the sheriff’s department and said it still will have the program, but deputies won’t go shopping with the children as they usually do.
“The deputies love the shopping experience with the kids, but we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to keep our families as well as the community safe,” West said.
While they’re disappointed to not have the interaction with the children, they’ve figured out a way to still help families. The deputies will be shopping as a small group or on their own, picking out items and then delivering them.
West is hoping to help at least 15 families this year. In past years, they’ve spent as much as $300 per child. This year, they’ll spend anywhere from $200 to $250 a child, then use the extra money to provide food for the families.
“This is new and I think needed this year,” West said.
They received donations from individual community members as well as businesses in the county, both large and small. The donations haven’t been as plentiful this year, so organizers have had to use money left over from previous years, West said. That could leave funding short next year.
West says there is still time to donate, and anyone wanting to help can reach out to her at the sheriff’s department. Applications for assistance are available at the administrative office and the jail information window at the sheriff’s department in downtown Greenfield. They’re due back Wednesday, Nov. 25.
The Greenfield Police Department will do its annual “Cops-4-Kids” event, but it, too, will look different. GPD is currently accepting applications for assistance, but an officer and a helper will be the only ones shopping.
“We will not be taking the kids with us this year,” Capt. Chuck McMichael said. “While we are disappointed with this change, it is necessary to keep everyone healthy.”
McMichael noted officers enjoy shopping with the kids, watching them pick out clothes and toys. They will miss the interaction.
“We truly get as much joy, if not more, as the kids with this event,” he said.
In years past, GPD officers have taken the children to breakfast and then out for a fun morning of shopping.
In order to get what families need, officers will shop from lists created by the families.
Applications for “Cops-4-Kids,” can still be picked up at GPD but must be returned by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24.
Detective Arron Watts of the McCordsville Police Department is spearheading the “Holidays with Heroes” program.
Like the other Christmas shopping events, they will not do their normal large gathering at Meijer in McCordsville.
They’re still going to partner families with officers, but will do so virtually. The officers will reach out by phone and/or email to determine families’ needs. Police officers will then go shopping on their own, delivering the gifts to their specific family.
“We felt this was the best way to be able to continue to do the program this year for those in need, but do it as safe as possible,” Watts said.
They’re looking at hosting the program two weeks after Thanksgiving.
The Fortville Police Department is having its annual “Shop with Public Safety” event. Its program will push forward as close to normal as possible; officers will shop with the children on Saturday, Dec. 5.
“We realize the past year has been a trying time due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Maj. Derek Shelley said. “Knowing this, we want to continue to give back to our communities and by participating in this program, it is one way we can accomplish this.”
Since recommendations surrounding the pandemic continue to change, they’ll take special safety precautions to protect first-responders and families participating. Upon arriving each family will be required to complete a Covid-19 questionnaire. Every participant will be required to have their temperature checked and wear a face covering during the event.
The plan is to have breakfast catered in for the participants and then proceed in a caravan to Walmart in Greenfield.
Officers will continue to monitor the guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention regarding the pandemic and orders put in place by state officials.
“We feel that it is important to continue to build positive relationships with our communities and this event is one way we can do this while also brightening our communities’ Christmas,” Shelley said.
Applications for assistance can be picked up at the Fortville Town Hall and are available online at www.fortvilleindiana.org. (Look for the link at the bottom of the police department’s page.) They’re due back at town hall by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Chief Bob Ehle of the New Palestine Police Department said the department normally works the Sugar Creek Township Fire Department to help families in need and hope to do so again this year, but organizers not yet sure what the program will look like.
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Police agencies’ deadlines to apply for assistance are quickly approaching. Here’s how to get help. Page A5
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Families seeking assistance are running out of time to submit applications. Here is a roundup:
"Shop with a Deputy" applications are available at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and must be returned by Wednesday, Nov. 25.
"Cops-4-Kids" applications are available at the Greenfield Police Department and must be returned by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Applications for the Fortville Police Department’s "Shop with Public Safety" program can be picked up at Fortville Town Hall and are available online at www.fortvilleindiana.org. (Look for the link at the bottom of the police department’s page.) They’re due back at town hall by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25.
More information about McCordsville’s "Holidays with Heroes" program is available by calling 317-335-2812.
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