Submitted by Dustin Dixon
Last Saturday, Dec. 9, approximately 50 law enforcement officers from the Indiana State Police, Cicero Police Department, Arcadia Police Department, and Sheridan Police Department took 57 Hamilton County kids Christmas shopping in the annual Shop For Kids shopping event.
The organization estimates that approximately $13,000 was spent during the shopping trip this year to ensure that each child has Christmas presents during the holiday season.
The officers and families met at Harbour Shores Church in Cicero for breakfast and then paired up in police cars for the ride to Target.
Shop For Kids is a local non-profit organization founded in 2009 by Todd Green. Green is a retired county law enforcement officer but was an active law enforcement officer during that time. After pitching the idea to then-Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Carter, the tradition was born. Each year, law enforcement officers volunteer their time to treat local children to breakfast and then a ride complete with lights and sirens to Target in Fishers. The kids are referred to Shop For Kids from various organizations including Good Samaritan Network, Youth Assistance, township trustees, etc.
Photo provided
Shop For Kids is made up of several board members, according to Board President Dustin Dixon. Dixon is a local law enforcement officer who has been involved since the inception along with several local officers.
Other board members include Brandon Oburn, Beth Oburn, Lori Tragesser, Danielle Roque, Ryan Horine, Scott McAllister, Nicky Cremer, and Chuck Werckenthien. Green serves in a founder role and gets to focus on selecting and interacting with the families chosen on an annual basis.
While no longer affiliated with a specific law enforcement agency, Shop For Kids partners with local law enforcement agencies to complete the annual shopping trip. For further information, please contact Shop For Kids at shopforkidshc@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/ShopForKidsHC.
Shop For Kids holds an annual golf outing fundraiser, which is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2024, at Sagamore Golf Club in Noblesville.
Donations are accepted year-round via check or Venmo @therealshopforkids. You can mail your donations to: Shop For Kids, 176 W. Logan St., Suite 116, Noblesville, IN 46062.
Wonderful work by our public servants to help brighten some young people’s holiday. It is wrong, however to say they “will now have Christmas”.
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Who is available to everyone, and which happens regardless of the presence of the material goods that modern society has applied to the day.