LIMA — It was a typical Saturday morning in the Meijer parking lot off Elida Road. Suddenly, multiple police sirens pierced the silence, light bars coming into view through the morning fog. Soon, police officers from several county agencies flooded the store entrance, each one brandishing their — shopping cart.
This flood of law enforcement was actually this year’s Shop With a Cop event. Since 2008, police officers have held the event to help local parents buy Christmas gifts, clothing and other necessities for their children.
“We had 69 kids from 41 families,” Lima Fraternal Order of Police president Mike Watkins said. “We’re looking for families that are struggling, that have a real need because they fall through the cracks between being able to make it on their own and being served by other agencies.”
Children that qualified were paired up with officers and given a $200 spending limit. The families and officers then returned to the Lima FOP Lodge to wrap their gifts and enjoy a pizza party, with another special surprise.
“We have a bicycle at the lodge for each child with their name on it,” Watkins said. The bikes were donated by the Barbers Give Bikes program.
Along with giving back to the community, this event is a way to help the public see law enforcement in a different light, according to FOP Lodge 21 Charitable Foundation trustee Berlin Carroll.
“This lets people know that being a police officer is not all about a us-against-them mentality,” he said. “They are here to protect and serve, and this is part of that service.”
The experience is not only rewarding for the families, but also for the officers who participate.
“I always hear from officers that come out that they will come back next year,” Watkins said.
One of those first-time participants is Ptl. Brittney Wyerick, who was paired with Maysa Tucker, 5, of Lima, with her father Michael and his wife Jennifer.
“It’s great for officers to have a positive interaction with the community and the kids,” she said. “It shows them that we do have a heart behind the badge.”
The Stroud family was also grateful for the opportunity to join in the event.
“I think this is remarkable,” Mr. Stroud said. “I’m glad to see the kids have the community on their side and be able to enjoy time with the police officers.”
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