Needy families can count on troopers at Christmastime

A French author coined the phrase, “The only thing constant in life is change,” but underprivileged children across the country can attest to another constant: State troopers make a difference during the holidays, year after year.

Troopers regularly volunteer as coaches for youth sports teams, leaders for scouting organizations, and are active in various charitable organizations. It is no surprise that during the Christmas holiday these same people show great compassion and give from their hearts.

Tennessee state troopers helped with the annual FOP-sponsored bicycle giveaway, with 29 kids in the Knoxville area receiving bikes this year, as well as a $100 Wal-Mart gift card.

The Ohio Troopers Caring program partners off-duty Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers with local businesses to provide less fortunate children the opportunity to receive and give a gift to loved ones during the holiday season.

The children enjoyed lunch and had their photo taken with Santa and Teddy Trooper, and each child was provided with a gift card and was accompanied by a state trooper for a unique shopping experience. Children were selected to participate based on a sponsorship from an OSHP officer or local civic organizations.

Members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tpr. Brandon Hunt, Tpr. Nick Neil, and Sp. Agent Matthew Minter, back row left to right, join Mr. and Mrs. Clause for the Christmas for Kids program. Several parents told the troopers that without the program, they would not have been able to provide Christmas for their children.

In addition to children’s programs and food drives in various Tennessee Highway Patrol regions, employees did a magnificent job for their first ever Turkey Drive for the Nashville Rescue Mission, which offers clothing, shelter, and recovery programs for those in need. Employees collected enough frozen turkeys and monetary donations to help feed 483 people.

Children and their families take a break after shopping with Washington trooper Lt. Ken Noland, left.

Kentucky state trooper Sgt. Brian Sumner helps Santa at the December 22 Shop with a Trooper event. Twenty-six children from 13 families selected toys and clothing to help with their holiday needs.

Washington State Patrol troopers participated in the sixth annual Shop with a Cop event at the Wal-Mart in Poulsbo, where over 100 underprivileged kids were given a $100 gift card and paired up with a local law enforcement officer to assist with gift selection. And in Kentucky, troopers from the agency’s 16 posts were also involved in shopping events with local children.

Lt. Mark Cotter of the OSP Albany Area Command
wraps up his shopping with a happy little girl.

This year marked the 15th year of the Shop with a Cop event in Oregon, and AAST was again proud to contribute funds to help make children's wishes come true in an event which pairs needy children with law enforcement officers for a Christmas shopping experience. Troopers in Albany, Corvallis, Newport, and Salem helped provide gifts to 401 needy children.

"These kids come from unique and, at times, difficult family situations, often only coming in contact with police officers in bad situations,” said Sgt. Steve Mitchell, Oregon State Police. “Our goal is to let them know that we are there to help them in a positive environment. We want them to know we do care about them and think they are special.”

Each year the Kansas Highway Patrol and Missouri State Highway Patrols partner with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to collect and distribute the toys to children who are hospitalized over the holidays. The Tpr. Michael L. Newton Memorial Toy Fund is held in the Kansas City Metro area during the holiday season.

The toy fund honors the memory of Missouri state trooper Michael L. Newton, who was killed in an on-duty traffic crash in 2003. This marked the 10th year for KHP to visit the hospitals, with the MSHP joining the effort in 2003, following Newton’s death.

Missouri troopers were also involved in additional holiday events. Troopers at General Headquarters collected nearly 3,000 pounds of donated food, while the Crime Laboratory Division adopted two needy families. Troopers in Jefferson City joined local law enforcement agencies for Operation TOYS (Take Our Youth Shopping), pairing underprivileged children with an officer for an unforgettable shopping trip.

Troop B (Macon) has a long-standing tradition of providing Christmas for needy families in the area, and this year was no different. Troop employees held fundraisers throughout the year, collecting donations for food, clothing, toys, and other necessities. Troop C collected canned goods, with officers donating their time to deliver food to the elderly throughout December, and Troop E (Poplar Bluff) troopers were involved in Shop with a Cop events.

Capt. Lee Ann H. Kenley, left, and Clerk Typist III Jamie L. Maddux stand near the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop I's angel tree which memorializes Missouri troopers killed in the line of duty.

Perhaps the most unique Christmas event in the country also came from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Christmas tree in the lobby of Troop I headquarters in Rolla was decorated with numerous ceramic angels. But they weren’t your typical Christmas decoration.

Troop I employees honored those troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty with beautifully hand-painted angels, each inscribed with the name of a fallen officer and the date they lost their life. The tree, illuminated with white and blue lights, was decorated with 27 angels to commemorate each of the Missouri troopers who have lost their life. The result was not only a beautiful tree, but another thoughtful way to remember the officers and their families during a time of joy and celebration. Unfortunately, a 28th angel was added to the tree as a tribute to Cpl. Dennis Engelhard, who was killed in the line of duty on Christmas Day, 2009.

Across the country, troopers volunteered their time to help needy families, underprivileged and hospitalized children, and remembered those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Although we highlighted only a few states in this story, each highway patrol and state police department in the country participated in community events during the holidays that made a tremendous impact on the citizens they serve, demonstrating their constant concern for their communities. We at AAST say thank you to those who make it happen, year after year.

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