By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Forget the stealth of Santa Claus and reindeer hooves on the roof.
In Bowling Green, Santa and his elves showed up Tuesday afternoon with lights flashing and sirens blaring.
The early Christmas visit came as a surprise to 11-year-old Logan, who came out on his front porch with Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer slippers on his feet.
“I never thought anything like this would happen,” Logan said, as he looked at the goodies left by the parade of police officers. “Never in my lifetime.”
He noticed the new shoes, the fruits and vegetables – but it was the remote control car that really captured his attention. He grabbed the box and didn’t let go.
Normally during the Christmas season, the Wood County Fraternal Order of Police identifies children with great needs and takes them shopping at Meijers. But this year, COVID-19 interrupted those plans. So Dan Van Vorhis, FOP president, came up with Plan B.
This year, law enforcement officers talked with parents about needs, then went shopping without the children. The Wood County Firefighters Association joined in to provide food baskets for each of the families.
Then this week, they are making special deliveries to the children’s homes. There were diapers and dollies, bicycles and board games, toilet paper and toys.
“It’s neat to see their reaction when the kids see all the police cars show up,” Van Vorhis said.
All total, the law enforcement officers will deliver early Christmases to 60 families, with 73 children. All thanks to donations from the community.
On Monday, local law enforcement officers delivered items to children in the northern part of the county, and Tuesday they visited homes in the central region, then Wednesday they will head to the southern end.
It’s not the same as going shopping with the kids, said Bowling Green Police Det. A.J. Cox.
“I think I enjoy it more than the kids,” Cox said of pushing a shopping cart around Meijer with kids. But he was looking forward to making Tuesday’s deliveries to the children.
“I’m hoping it will be as much fun – seeing the kids smiling,” Cox said.
Bowling Green Police Officer Robin Short had shopped on her own after getting some ideas from parents.
“I know some of the kids. That’s exciting,” Short said.
As she dropped off gifts at Logan’s house, Short was able to give him a special message from his principal at Crim Elementary School.
“Mr. Kellough said you’re a pretty nice kid – and we should shop for you,” Short said to Logan.
Logan’s mom, Lisa, was grateful for the help, especially since she is out of work right now, and since gift lists come with higher priced items as children age.
“With the many COVID issues facing all of us, the FOP realized the need is greater for many families in Wood County,” Van Vorhis said.
“On a daily basis, officers are in homes and see first hand that some families could benefit from participating in the Cops and Kids Program,” Van Vorhis said. “Officers have found, in many situations, the kids are asking for clothing, hygiene items, and food, before listing toys.”
The children’s desires to give to others have always surprised the officers shopping with them.
“The kids are really selfless,” asking for food or toiletries, Van Vorhis said. “One kid said he wanted to get something for his mom and his siblings before anything for himself.”
Often the top three items on their lists are underwear, socks and soap. And this year, children are excited to see packs of toilet paper in the deliveries.
“There are a lot of survivalists out there,” Van Vorhis said of some children facing tough times.
On Monday, one child asked the officers about delivery plans.
“He asked, ‘Are you going to all little boys’ homes?’” Van Vorhis said. “The grandfather answered, ‘Just good ones like you.’”
Van Vorhis stressed that the Cops and Kids Program is more than providing gifts to children. It’s also about continuing to build a positive relationship between the police officers and the kids in their jurisdictions.
Before leaving for the next child’s home, two Bowling Green officers gave Logan the thrill of sitting in a police vehicle and running the siren.
And Van Vorhis offered some words for Logan to remember.
“If you ever need anything, you call these guys,” he said, pointing to the police officers – who pledged to be there if needed.
