Community

Moundsville Police Getting Scruffy To Help Local Students

Alan Olson

Moundsville police are once again raising funds for Central Elementary School students with their fifth annual "We're Not Shaving 'Til December!" campaign.

Moundsville police will be raising funds from friends and family, as well as accepting donations from the community at large to enrich Central Elementary's "Student Support Fund," which is used to purchase school supplies, hygiene items, backpacks, clothing, food, and other supplies to benefit students. The program is funded entirely through donations.

Each police officer has been asked to raise $50 toward the program. Participants will be permitted to grow out their facial hair for the month, with a further allowance to maintain the look into the new year, according to police chief Tom Mitchell.

"The idea is that if each officer generates $50 or $100, it makes an impact on the fund, and it's an appreciable amount of money for the students," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the department raises the funds to support the students, all of whom are happy to receive assistance from their school.

"I've been to the school and seen the kids get the bags of food, and they're genuinely happy when they leave the building, because it's an unfortunate reality that if some kids don't eat at school, they don't eat," he added. "It does put the kids in a better position, especially for the weekends and things like that."

Central Elementary School Counselor Jenna Dompa said the students and families of the school sometimes find themselves in need of a little extra to make ends meet.

"We have a population that has more of a need for certain things, so it helps with any student that needs anything from food to shoes, deodorant, shampoo, and anything we can provide for them with these funds.

"We want to thank the Moundsville police - they're always very supportive of our school in doing this every year."