Shop with a Cop helps local kids
Police from around the county invaded Greencastle WalMart this Wednesday morning.
They were called there on philanthropic duty to help buy children school supplies during the "Shop with a Cop" function put on by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
"This is our eleventh year doing this," said Indiana State Police (ISP) Excise division officer Jarrod Baugh. "It's great to see how shy the kids are at the beginning, then by the time they check out they are hanging on the officers."
Baugh and his wife Tara coordinated the program. He started the program back at the old WalMart 11 years ago.
The officers are given $100 to buy each child school supplies. Each individual school's counselor chooses the students.
The counselors choose the students based on who would benefit the most from the program. This year there were around 30 children participating.
All school corporations in Putnam County were represented, as were all law enforcement agencies.
The funds for this philanthropic venture are acquired from the FOP's fundraisers.
Some of the officers present were even on duty at the time.
"It is important for the community to know that the police are out to help the community," Baugh said. "Often times we just deal with the bad stuff, so helping out children is very rewarding."
The officers who helped the children shop had all been part of this program before. They were: ISP Trooper Keith Kerns, ISP Excise division officers Jerrod Baugh, Steve Toleos and Sanford Swanson, Cloverdale Police Officer Charlie Hallam, Greencastle Police Chief Tom Sutherlin, Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins, Officers Albert Epple and Michael Collins, Bainbridge Deputy Officer Jason Baugh along with Tara and Lauralee Baugh and Patti Harmless.