HANCOCK COUNTY — ‘Tis the season to plan ahead for holiday gift giving, particularly to local children in need.
Applications for holiday assistance programs are opening up throughout the county.
Families can apply starting today (Friday, Oct. 29) for the Greenfield Police Department’s Cops 4 Kids program or the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department’s Shop with a Deputy program.
Applications for Hancock County Christmas Connection open on Monday, Nov. 1.
Collection bins for Toys for Tots — which supports a number of local programs like these — were scheduled to be distributed throughout the county this week.
Terry Miller, who helps coordinate the Christmas Connection program, said the programs play a vital role in making the holidays merry and bright for children in need.
The county’s four school corporations and community agencies work collaboratively to match families with sponsor groups or community resources each year, she said, making sure families only receive assistance from one organization
The programs all work under the same umbrella, said Miller, with the goal of serving every child in need with something under the Christmas tree.
Organizers say it’s too early to tell what the level of need will be like this year.
“We really won’t know until we start getting applications,” said Miller, a social worker at Weston Elementary in Greenfield, who helps coordinate the program each year.
While local programs vary, Miller said the Christmas Connection asks for input from parents on what their children would like for Christmas. They’re asked to provide three wish-list items that cost up to $25 each.
“Some of the groups will also provide food and/or toiletries if the parent indicates a need on their application,” Miller said.
Some programs deliver to recipients, while others offer a pickup time and location.
Children are given the opportunity to shop alongside law enforcement officers through the local Cops 4 Kids and Shop with a Deputy programs.
Miller encourages families to apply to a holiday assistance program as soon as possible, so enough donations can be collected to help those in need. Most programs close their applications down around Thanksgiving, she said, so sponsors have plenty of time to shop for the families they’re paired with.
While the Cops-4-Kids and Shop with Deputy programs are facilitated in-house, the Christmas Connection program is looking to partner with families, groups, individuals, churches and businesses interested in sponsoring families this holiday season.
HOW TO GET HELP
Families in need of help providing toys and clothes for children this holiday season can reach out to a number of local assistance programs starting this week.
Families with school-age children can also contact the counselor or social worker at their child’s school to get connected.
Those who have children enrolled in Healthy Families, Interlocal Community Action Program, the Children’s Bureau or the Department of Child Services’ foster care program may contact those agencies for further information.
To apply for assistance through the Hancock County Christmas Connection — or to sign up to help a family or families in need — contact Love INC at 317-468-6300, or Terry Miller at 317-462-1492 or [email protected]
Applications for the Greenfield Police Department’s Cops 4 Kids program, open to residents in Greenfield city limits, are available Oct. 29 through Nov. 20. Stop by the police station at 116 S. State St. in Greenfield to pick one up 8-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m. weekdays.
Information: 317-477-4410
Applications for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Shop with a Deputy program, open to all county residents, are available Oct. 29 through Nov. 15. Stop by the sheriff’s department administration office at 123 E. Main St. in Greenfield to pick one up 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Information: 317-477-1147
The Fortville and McCordsville police departments also sponsor shop-with-a-cop programs. In Fortville, more information is available by calling the police department at 317-485-4044. For the McCordsville program, more information is available by calling 317-335-2812.
