TERRE HAUTE —
Families lined the store like a string of Christmas lights early Sunday morning, waiting as police played the role of holiday gift-givers.
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 86 hosted its annual “Kids Shopping with Police” program inside Walmart on U.S. 41. Parents, grandparents and guardians of 206 children stood in a line to have their names checked off a list as officers escorted them through the store for a shopping cart full of gifts.
Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse said this year, each of the 206 children received $100 to spend in the store.
“I’ve been on the force 27 years and it’s been going on as long as I’ve been on,” he said of the tradition.
The FOP gets the children’s names from the Salvation Army and collects donated funds throughout the year for the project. At its inception, the program benefited 100 children, ebbing to 150 after a few years, and now more than 200. The organization’s ability to expand its list of children hinges on the community, he said.
“The main thing is, we couldn’t do this without community support,” Plasse said, crediting area citizens’ generosity. Police get to look good while shopping with the kids, but ultimately the program reflects well on the community as a whole, he said.
Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy Jim Haley stood in the cashier’s line with one of the families he assisted, pointing out the program allows children to get to know law enforcement in a positive, friendly setting.
“This is my first year,” he said. “It’s amazing to come out and help children, especially this time of year.”
The program alternates each year between the Walmarts on U.S. 41 and on Indiana 46. The southern store’s manager, Bill Balensiefer, said the company is happy to help with early morning activity which kicks off each year at 7 a.m., bringing cashiers and other associates to a store full of Christmas presents ready for purchase.
“We’re proud to partner with local law enforcement for the annual effort,” he said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Checkin': Terre Haute Chief of Police John Plasse checks his list of recipient names Sunday morning at the south Walmart. Each child received $100 to spend on items of their choice.
-
K-9 buds: Nine-year-old Sammie Sweeney pets THPD officer Ryan Adamson's partner Caron during her shopping spree in Walmart Sunday morning.
-
Happy times: Five-year-old Scotty Vester breaks into a big smile as he walks with his mother and West Terre Haute police officer Ted York on Sunday morning in Walmart.
-
Animal lover: Nine-year-old Sammie Sweeney takes time from her shopping spree to pet THPD K-9 officer Ryan Adamson's dog Sunday morning at Walmart.
-
Smile: Terre Haute police officer Kurt Brinegar appears to be having more fun than legally allowed as he shops with a 9-year-old in the south Walmart store. Each child was allowed to spend $100.
-
Batman; Jalen Manuel holds up a "Batman" shirt as he shops with Terre Haute K-9 officer Justin Sears at Walmart Sunday morning.
-
Wanted: Dyllan Deal and his mother Adrianne walk through Walmart with THPD officer Brian Bourbeau Sunday morning. Although Dyllan can spend $100 on items of his choice, his choice appears to be the cup of coffee carried by the officer.
Discussion
Police become Santas
FOP hosts 206 kids at holiday shopping event
- News
-
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
About 200 channel catfish find new home in Dobbs Park pond
About 200 channel catfish transferred into a new home at the Dobbs Park pond on Wednesday, but it’s unclear how long they’ll remain there. That depends upon the people fishing.
-
GED grads turn the tassels
Michelle McClendon’s first child was born when she was 15.
She tried to stay in school, but it was just too much, so she dropped out to take care of her daughter. - More News Headlines
-
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Today in History for May 20th
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Today in History for May 19th
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Winning Powerball Ticket Sold in Florida
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
