Cops make the season a little better

Debbie Blank

Instead of sleepy, the 30 faces of the young families standing in the Alco Discount Store lobby and those of 40 more shivering outside were expectant Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6:50 a.m.

In the darkness, you could hear excited chatter.

At 7 a.m., the door opened. “You get to see Santa Claus before you go shopping!” Angela Houseworth, Milan, told the kids as they entered. Helping her greet and check names off of a list was Mari Thielking, Batesville.

It was time for Shop With a Cop, where each underprivileged county child from babies up to 14 placed on the list by schools and churches and escorted by an officer could select toys and other items valued at up to $30, explained coordinator Jerry Taul, a Batesville Police Department patrolman and crime scene investigator who is secretary of the sponsoring William R. Rayner Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 177.

Jeremy Turner, 10, Manchester, was pacing in a toy aisle, intent on finding a gun. Sheriff Tom Grills spied a ballistic shooter on the top shelf and lowered it for inspection.

“Sweet!” raved the boy. Grills grinned. “He found a good one. He’s happy now.”

“Check it out. It’s the last one!” Jeremy told his mom, Amanda House. He also selected two Star Wars figures, a Droid and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

House brought her four sons and two stepdaughters to the free spree. “It’s awesome. They absolutely love it.”

The family needed the extra boost because “right now, there’s no work” for her husband, an equipment operator. The lack of money “is very hard, especially during the holidays.” She was hoping to get a temp job in Florence, Ky., this week.

It was 5-year-old Chloey Thomas’ first time at Shop With a Cop. The Batesville girl, there with two sisters, chose a baby doll. When asked how she liked the early morning party, the little blonde reported, “I got to sit on Santa’s lap.”

Mom Nikki Thomas called the event “pretty neat.” The family’s finances have been stretched because of a recent move that required rent and utility deposits.

Millie Wilson, Sunman, there with her two boys, was appreciative of “all the charities getting together helping the kids ... I’m really glad they have this program.” The boys made the list because her husband’s hours were cut.

After going through a cash register, where purchases were recorded, but families did not have to pay, a mom barked at her children, “Out the door – to the van.” A friend shouted, “I want to know how you’re fitting all the toys in!”

Travis Bays, 5, Holton, was on top of the world about his new remote control ATV and Nerf gun, while his sister, Abigail, 6, was happy with her pet shop figures. Their mother, Christa, said the program “gives the kids something to look forward to.” She was relieved to know this Christmas each would get at least one gift. “When it started snowing, my husband lost his job for the season” as a dump truck driver.

In just over an hour, all boys and girls chose their early holiday presents with the help of about 15 active and retired officers from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office; Indiana State Police; Batesville, Milan and Versailles police departments; plus an Indiana conservation officer and Dillsboro firefighter.

“We’ve always got spouses and kids of officers (helping), too,” noted retired ISP Trooper Ed Hunter, Batesville, the FOP treasurer.

Shop With a Cop “is really good for the community and helps out a lot,” believed Batesville Patrolman Jamie Straber. “We all get together afterwards for breakfast (at Bonaparte’s Retreat, Napoleon) and to catch up with everyone.”

“I just love it, even though it’s early and it’s cold,” said Angela Houseworth, wife of FOP President Corky Houseworth, an RCSO detective.

Hunter has been at the event almost every year since it started (please see box) and wouldn’t miss it. “When you see a smile on a kid’s face, that’s what it’s all about.”

Taul didn’t mind rising early to “help kids that are less fortunate than others have a Christmas.”

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

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