Noblesville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 198 is accepting donations to assist in its upcoming Shop with a Cop program to provide underprivileged children in Noblesville and Noblesville Township with warm clothing to help them get through the winter months.
“It’s an opportunity to see in real time a positive impact in the community – even if it is just one or two children,” said NPD Lt. Jon Williams, who has coordinated the program every year since its beginning 17 years ago.
Williams said the Shop with a Cop participants – infants to 16-year-olds – come from a holiday assistance list given to the Noblesville F.O.P. by Nancy Chance of Good Samaritan Network or from recommendations of police officers.
“All of the officers have been called to negative situations,” Williams said. “We like to think as police officers that in the larger scheme, we are making the world a better place. For this one to two hours timeframe you are making a difference that lasts a lot longer than this singular event.”
Shop with a Cop participants walk around Noblesville’s Meijer store, 17000 Mercantile Blvd., and, with the help of adults and officers, pick out winter clothes including coats, gloves, shirts, pants, boots, underwear and pajamas. Once all the children have the proper clothes for the cold climates, they head over to the toy department to select a present.
This year, more than 70 children will be participating in the program on Dec. 6.
“It’s great for officers,” said F.O.P. Lodge President Mike Sadler. “It’s an opportunity to work within the community in a different way.”
For more information about the Shop with a Cop program, contact Lt. Jon Williams at 770-5754 or [email protected] or Det. Michael Sadler at 776-6371 or [email protected].
Donations are asked to be made via checks payable to NFOP Lodge No. 198 with “Shop With a Cop” in the check’s memo line. Checks may be mailed to Shop With A Cop, Noblesville FOP 198, P.O. Box 2013, Noblesville, 46061-2013. Officials said donations to this program are tax deductible as a charitable contribution and 100 percent of the money raised goes toward supporting this program.
