CCS Gets Big Donation From Local FOP
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Christmas in July received a blizzard-like donation in the form of a $7,000 check from FOP Lodge 149 recently.
The money puts the Combined Community Services program so far ahead financially that there may be money left over for next year.
First, however, volunteer coordinator Ami Pitt has plans to put the funds to good use. The group generally purchases school supplies with $1,500. Last year more than 500 schoolchildren received crayons, pencils, folders, book bags and other materials free.
"We were right on target with our usual goal, at about $1,000," Pitt said Monday. "This is a huge blessing from the FOP."
Travis Marsh, a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department detective and president of the lodge, said the organization has been inactive for several years; 1999 was their last fund-raiser.
"Traditionally the FOP sponsors the Shop with a Cop program in December," Marsh said. "Since we feel education is really important, along with school supplies and school clothes, we used the fund-raiser for this specific purpose."
Pitt hopes to defray the costs of gym uniforms and gym shoes with the extra money this year, an option she's never had before.
"I would ask people who had planned to donate to purchase a gift card for gym shoes instead," she said.
"We can do all the things we have wanted to do," said Peggy Wright of CCS.
Each year Pitt and her crew collect lists of supplies for all grades from area schools and compile a master list. Short supplies can be replenished in January and February.
"We don't check income levels for this program," Pitt said, "but an adult must accompany each child when they come to pick up supplies."
The program also is open to home-schooled children.
"I home-school my family," Pitt said. "We pay taxes for the public schools and still pay for all the books in the home school program."
Families that don't participate in other CCS services come in for the school supplies, according to Wright. "We're expecting more than 600 kids this year. Having the officers here too will be invaluable."
FOP members, comprising police officers in Kosciusko County, will be on hand in uniform to help with the distribution of school supplies.
"The officers' presence will help build relationships with the kids, to show that they truly care," Pitt said.
The distribution date is planned for early August, prior to the start of school. [[In-content Ad]]
Christmas in July received a blizzard-like donation in the form of a $7,000 check from FOP Lodge 149 recently.
The money puts the Combined Community Services program so far ahead financially that there may be money left over for next year.
First, however, volunteer coordinator Ami Pitt has plans to put the funds to good use. The group generally purchases school supplies with $1,500. Last year more than 500 schoolchildren received crayons, pencils, folders, book bags and other materials free.
"We were right on target with our usual goal, at about $1,000," Pitt said Monday. "This is a huge blessing from the FOP."
Travis Marsh, a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department detective and president of the lodge, said the organization has been inactive for several years; 1999 was their last fund-raiser.
"Traditionally the FOP sponsors the Shop with a Cop program in December," Marsh said. "Since we feel education is really important, along with school supplies and school clothes, we used the fund-raiser for this specific purpose."
Pitt hopes to defray the costs of gym uniforms and gym shoes with the extra money this year, an option she's never had before.
"I would ask people who had planned to donate to purchase a gift card for gym shoes instead," she said.
"We can do all the things we have wanted to do," said Peggy Wright of CCS.
Each year Pitt and her crew collect lists of supplies for all grades from area schools and compile a master list. Short supplies can be replenished in January and February.
"We don't check income levels for this program," Pitt said, "but an adult must accompany each child when they come to pick up supplies."
The program also is open to home-schooled children.
"I home-school my family," Pitt said. "We pay taxes for the public schools and still pay for all the books in the home school program."
Families that don't participate in other CCS services come in for the school supplies, according to Wright. "We're expecting more than 600 kids this year. Having the officers here too will be invaluable."
FOP members, comprising police officers in Kosciusko County, will be on hand in uniform to help with the distribution of school supplies.
"The officers' presence will help build relationships with the kids, to show that they truly care," Pitt said.
The distribution date is planned for early August, prior to the start of school. [[In-content Ad]]