FOP officers capture local kids' back-to-school needs
Officers representing five Putnam County police agencies and the Fraternal Order of Police accompanied a record group of 40 local children this year in the 14th annual Shop-With-a-Cop effort.
Back-to-school clothes and supplies were purchased for each child during the recent morning visit to the Greencastle Walmart store.
Officers from Greencastle City Police, Indiana Excise Police, Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Cloverdale Police and Indiana State Police helped children in need of new school clothes and supplies pick out a variety of essentials.
Perhaps the most telling and touching comment, Cpl. Jerrod E. Baugh of the Indiana Excise Police said, came from the youngest daughter in a family group.
"I get my own underwear?" she asked excitedly. "I've always had to wear hand-me-downs from my sisters."
"The entire group of officers froze in their places," said Baugh, the president of the Putnam County Fraternal Order of Police.
The annual Shop-With-a-Cop event is all about helping local children and fostering "positive interaction between the children and uniformed officers," Baugh added.
Youngsters in need of services are identified by school officials as Putnam County Shop-With-a-Cop beneficiaries coordinator Tara Baugh interacts with local school counselors to reach all corners of the county with recommendations.
Donations from Putnam County citizens and businesses make the program and continuing education/training grants possible for the FOP and its members, Baugh said.