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Wheeling Police Lodge’s ‘Cops and Kids’ Helps Ohio Valley Families

Photo by Jessica Broverman Lt. Micah Zinn of the Wheeling Police Department and Colton Thomas shop in the gaming aisle of Target at The Highlands during Sunday’s “Shop With a Cop” event.

TRIADELPHIA — Local law enforcement welcomed 100 families to Target at The Highlands on Sunday morning for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38’s “Cops and Kids” program, ensuring a brighter holiday for children who otherwise might not have many presents under the tree on Christmas morning.

The goal of the event is twofold, according to organizers — build stronger relationships between the public and law enforcement while also lending a helping hand to families in need during the holiday season. Children and their parents lined up inside Target after receiving a letter this month inviting them to do some holiday shopping, thanks to the Wheeling Police Department and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Tom Howard takes part in the event each year, and it’s something he looks forward to every December.

“I’ve been with this program for 10 years and you see the smiling kids and it just makes this worthwhile,” Howard said.

According to Howard, each year officers work with Ohio County Schools to find families who may need some extra help with their holiday shopping. Once the families are selected, a letter is sent out with an invitation to shop for holiday gifts.

“We send the letters and when they come to the store, they have to bring the letter with them. There are some families that have more than one child, so we don’t give one amount to the family to share. Each child will have an opportunity to get whatever they want,” Howard said.

The budget for the event varies each year, depending on donations. This year, each child got $100 to spend.

In 2014, the event received a $15,000 donation from the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic, enabling participating departments to invite 312 children to shop that year.

“We used to have a firm solicit donations for us, but they took a large chunk of the proceeds, which I really didn’t like,” Howard said. “Now, every penny goes to the children and it’s really great.”

Large contributions for the event this year were provided by Tunnel Ridge Mine, Wal-Mart and Target.

Howard said he and all the officers who participate are happy to spend time helping children have a brighter holiday.

“Kids have a big place in my heart and being around them — I just love it,” he said.

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