GREENFIELD — Jeff Rasche had a fresh cup of decaf coffee in his hand as he stood and talked with Bobbie Jo Perry and her husband just inside the entrance of Walmart early Sunday morning.
The couple wondered what the Greenfield police chief was doing there so early on a weekend morning, in full uniform and greeting people as they entered the store.
After Rasche told them the Greenfield Police Department was taking part in its annual Christmas “Cops-4-Kids” holiday gift-giving program, Perry, a military veteran and Greenfield resident, pulled out her checkbook and promptly wrote out a $100 donation.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“We grew up poor, and I’m fortunate to be in a different situation now,” Perry said. “I’m happy to give something for the kids so they don’t have to go through what I went through not having toys at Christmas.”
Rasche was moved as Perry handed him the check. He said it’s always great to see the community reach out to help families in need the same way his department likes to do at Christmastime every year.
Because of COVID-19, this year’s program was different. Officers who usually take children to breakfast and then shop with them for clothes and toys were forced to go solo. While that warmth and face-to-face connections were missing, GPD was still able to provide many items for families in need.
Capt. Chuck McMichael, GPD’s public information officer, noted it was disappointing not having the children with them while shopping but said families still benefited, and that’s what matters most.
“The kids will have the option to bring things back that they don’t like or if things don’t fit,” McMichael said.
The department bought clothes and toys for nine families, including 16 children in all, and officers then delivered the gifts themselves.
Capt. Michael Schwamberger and his wife, Jill, spent the morning buying $200 worth of clothing and $100 worth of toys each for an 11- and 13-year-old. While Schwamberger said it was disappointing not having the children with them to help pick out items, the couple enjoyed doing something for the community.
“It is different this year, but it is still about helping the kids and their families,” Schwamberger said.
The day normally starts out with the officers picking up the children; taking them to McDonald’s; showing off the flashing police lights; then going shopping. On Sunday, the officers met at Walmart in Greenfield shortly after dawn.
Corp. Daniel Zeabart, who has been with the department for eight years, was joined by his wife, Kelle, to help out with the shopping. The new parents themselves have been taking part in the program for several years and were thrilled to get the chance to purchase items for two children, ages 12 and 13.
“This is something me and my wife can do together and something we can do to help kids,” Zeabart said.
He noted it’s been a rough year for police officers across the nation and was glad for an opportunity to show how helpful and kind officers really are.
“Connecting with the community is probably the number one thing we need to do right now,” Zeabart said. “We don’t want kids to be afraid or scared of police officers.”
Officers noted it’s always great when community members can see officers at homes for a good reason and not for an emergency or dangerous situation.
“Outside of this uniform, we are just like them,” Rasche said.
Deputy Chief Capt. Brian Hartman was also shopping for a family in need accompanied by his wife, Stacy, who said her husband had so much fun purchasing gifts for a 1-year-old girl. They were able to get her clothes, toys and everyday baby supplies.
“I love doing this,” Hartman said. “I just want to see the look on the little girl’s face, and at 12 months she may not know where it comes from. I know she’s gonna be surprised.”
Their hearts were warmed on the chilly Sunday morning as they packed Hartman’s police cruiser full, knowing a child will have a good Christmas. As soon as they got the car loaded, they headed to the child’s home to pass out the gifts.
“It will be fun to at least be able to hand these things over to them,” Stacy said.
From business owners to private citizens, the community is a big supporter of the program, coordinator Dana Nance said. GPD collected applications through the county’s Christmas Connection campaign, a collaboration among county school districts and several efforts dedicated to helping families during the holiday season.
While Nance was surprised the number of families applying for help wasn’t higher, particularly during the pandemic, she said it’s not too late for families in need to get holiday help. Any family still needing assistance for clothes or gifts for their children this Christmas can call 317-477-4410 and ask for Nance.
“While I’m glad we’re helping lots of children, I know there are others out there in need,” Nance said. “We want to help.”
Other law enforcement agencies in the county are also holding their Christmas outreach events.
Members of the Fortville Police Department shopped this past weekend for children through the annual “Shop with a Public Safety Official” event. With the assistance of the Vernon Township Fire Department and other community officials, they shopped for 22 children, getting them Christmas gifts at the Greenfield Walmart. They spent $300 dollars on each child, Maj. Derek Shelley said.
“It was amazing to see so many smiles from the families and children,” he said.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department plans to hold its “Shop with a Deputy” program on Saturday, Dec. 19. Amy West, program coordinator, said the effort will help 13 families and a total of 30 children have a brighter Christmas.
McCordsville officials said they’ll hold their annual event a couple of times during the holidays, but no date has been set.
