Community steps up for Cops and Kids - Dubois County Free Press, Inc.

Xander, 5, and Jasper Officer David Burger had an intense discussion while shopping at Wal-mart for Cops and Kids. — Xander, 5, and Jasper Officer David Burger had an intense discussion while shopping at Walmart for Cops and Kids.

The photos are undeniable proof.

The community and cops came together to ensure a great event continued its lasting legacy with local children. Officer Adam Bower with the Jasper Police Department, organizer of the event, reported he has collected $30,000 for the Cops and Kids program.

“The community support has been phenomenal,” Bower said while adding that more pledges are expected.

Daniel, 4, decided State Trooper Brian LaRoche's hat was a good fit while the pair shopped at Wal-mart for Cops and Kids. — Daniel, 4, decided State Trooper Brian LaRoche’s hat was a good fit while the pair shopped at Wal-mart for Cops and Kids.

Bower had originally wanted to raise about $7,000; enough to cover the $100 budget each officer has for shopping with their assigned child. The children’s parents provide a short list of necessities for officers to use as a guide.

However, the large amount raised through recent efforts is enough to fund the program for several years.

“100 percent of the money is put in a special account and will go to fund the program locally,” he said.

Jasper's newest dispatcher, Rebecca Hutton and Zoey checked out some toys during Cops and Kids at Wal-mart. — Jasper’s newest dispatcher, Rebecca Hutton and Zoey checked out some toys during Cops and Kids at Walmart.

Bower said the local Fraternal Order of Police will be working on some type of fundraising activity to continue to fund the program for years to come.

“It’s blown me away,” Bower said. “When I started asking the community for help, I expected to fund this year. We are set for a little while.”

Apparently, items involving Elsa and Olaf are still popular this year.

Bower had to go to the community for help after their largest supporter bowed out due to procedural issues. The Fraternal Order of Police, who sponsors the annual Christmas program, also had to drop the Shop With a Cop title due to it being trademarked.

According to Deputy Stewart Wilson, the head of the local FOP, the individual owning the trademark has demanded payment from police organizations around the nation who use the name to promote the annual charity event. “This guy is literally taking money directly from these children,” he said.

The FOP is working to establish a separate nonprofit organization for the the Cops and Kids program but for now, the money is held in a separate account by the FOP to be used for the event.

Jasper Officer Adam Bower giving the gathered officers their instructions before they took the kids shopping.

With the funding, law enforcement officers from nearly every department in the region took part in the annual shopping day today at the Jasper Walmart. The officers and their families took about 60 children enrolled in the Tricap Headstart Program on a personal shopping experience that creates relationships for some of the more at-risk children in the area.

After shopping, the officers took the children on a ride to the Jasper Moose Lodge for lunch with Santa Claus.

Every police vehicle drove the few blocks from Walmart with its lights and sirens on.

If you want to support the program, donations can still be made to the program by contacting any local police department.