Local Police Lodges Make Children’s Spirits Bright With Toy Shopping Events

MOUNDSVILLE - Two local Fraternal Order of Police Lodges took children shopping for Christmas presents at Walmart stores in Moundsville and at The Highlands this past weekend.

Moundsville Police Chief Thomas Mitchell said there were 64 children who participated in this year's Moundsville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 75 shop with an officer program.

He said the children are referred to the lodge by school officials who know which students are in need.

Mitchell noted most of the children are in grades K-3, but there were a few who were a little older. He said Walmart also set up a snack station with doughnuts and milk for the children to enjoy.

"It makes a nice little day for them," Mitchell said. "It's a good thing. It lights up their faces. They're definitely happy."

The Moundsville FOP has been organizing the program for several years. It raises money via donations sought from the community and businesses.

"Some don't get a whole lot; if it wasn't for the shopping trip with the Moundsville police some wouldn't get that much for Christmas," he said. "It garners a lot of goodwill."

The Wheeling Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 38 held its Cops & Kids event at The Highlands Walmart. Members of the Ohio County Sheriff's Department and Wheeling Police Department participated.

Ohio County Sheriff Tom Howard said nearly 200 children shopped for toys during the event on Sunday.

"They were excited and they loved it," Howard said of the children. "The kids are grateful and the parents and grandparents who bring them. Some would not have Christmas presents if not for us doing this program."

Howard said he has been raising the funds for the program for the last 16 years. He said in the past the FOP used a fundraising company, but it took a large percentage of the money raised and they decided to stop using them. Now all the money raised goes toward the children's presents. One of the biggest donors this year was Tunnel Ridge Mine and its employees who donated about $20,000 to the effort.

"It's a great time. They get to see law enforcement in a totally different light, compared to what they have to see, especially with what's going on in the world now," Howard said. "The kids enjoy it and we love it. We get to have fun."

Howard said he did a separate event for YWCA children called Shop With A Sheriff. Money for that endeavor was raised via the Stuff the Cruiser event.

Howard said toys that were donated during the Stuff the Cruiser event will be donated to Suff. Bishop Darrell Cummings' Christmas Food Basket Giveaway at 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at the North Wheeling Dream Center.

"There's a big need and we're always thankful for the Ohio Valley. The community jumps in when there's a need. There's a lot of good people," he said.