With Christmas just under three months away, the Shop with a Trooper initiative is in full swing, collecting donations and preparing to spread holiday cheer to underprivileged children across the state. This annual program pairs children in need with local Kentucky State Police troopers to give the children the opportunity to shop for clothes, toys, etc. for Christmas.
For many families, the holiday season can be a difficult time, especially those struggling with financial hardship. As living expenses rise, it is becoming increasingly harder for parents to fulfill the needs of the family much less the wants.
The KSP Post 15 Community Fund is primarily used for Christmas. However, it can be used when exigent circumstances exist. Recently, troopers responded to a call, and four children needed basic necessities. The responding troopers completed their shifts and then went shopping for these children.
“We use it mainly at Christmas time, and that’s how it’s advertised, but when I talk to Rotary clubs or big businesses, I will talk about we use it throughout the year as needed for like domestics, or we had the tornadoes in Taylor County, and we had kids we had to clothe and things for that. House fires, we have used it to help with that,” said Trooper Jonathan Houk.
“Christmas time we focus on underprivileged kids; kids we’ve dealt with. I ask the troopers first, I ask all the guys – a lot of the them coach ball or are involved with church dealing with kids – if they know any kids that are underprivileged,” he said. “Have you dealt with any on a case, like fatal accidents [siblings or survivors], domestics, or just out riding around. I try to offer it to them [troopers] first and then I get a lot of names from the school system.”
“We try to be good stewards of the money, find good candidates. I work with the school a lot too,” he said.
Throughout the Post 15 area, they average taking about 150 children per year shopping. The sworn and civilian employees along with their spouses and children get involved with this program.
“Shop with a Trooper and Trooper Island are probably the two best programs Kentucky State Place puts on each year,” said Trooper Brandon Roark. “It’s humbling for us. I took my wife the first time four or five years ago; she had never been…On the way home, she cried almost all the way home…It was such a wonderful thing to do, though.”
Throughout the year, Trooper Houk hosts fundraisers to raise money for the fund. He organized a 5K run in August that had over 200 participants. The Lift with a Trooper event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. at the Greensburg Athletic Club.
Shop with a Trooper is a non-profit program, and all donations are tax deductible. Donations can be left at the state police post, message Trooper Houk on Facebook, or mail a check to KSP Post 15 Community Fund, 1118 Jamestown Street, Columbia, KY 42728.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
