Police departments and communities join together to provide children with school supplies

By Janice NiederhoferThankful Thursday

This week “Thankful Thursday” would like to commend police departments from Albany, NY; Beeville, TX; Saratoga Springs, NY; Waterloo, IA; Madisonville, KY; Crestview, FL and Aberdeen, MD for their efforts in organizing the distribution of school supplies and other resources for children in their communities to prepare them for the new school year:

  • The Madisonville Police Department collected $13,000 in school supplies and monetary donations for area children with the help of Hopkins County residents who came forward in being a part of the solution to help kids start school with the right tools.
  • The Crestview Police Department with the help of the community donated school supplies and provided free haircuts for the children as they prepare for the new school year.
  • The Albany Police Department and the Police Athletic League (PAL) distributed backpacks full of school supplies to children at PAL’s summer camp. PAL says it’s their way of giving kids a head start on having a successful school year.
  • The Aberdeen Police Department and their campaign, The PACK — Police Assisting Community Kids collected and filled backpacks with supplies for students.
  • The Saratoga Springs Police Department and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department in collaboration with the Franklin Community Center donated back-to-school supplies to approximately 30 school children.
  • The Beeville Police Department’s annual school supply collected school supplies and cash donations for students up to eighth grade. The department wanted to make sure that every child in their community goes back to school ready to learn.
  • The Waterloo Police Foundation and The “Cops, Kids, and Cool for School” event helped 36 elementary and middle school students shop for school supplies. TheWaterloo Police partnered with Target and other organizations to cover the cost of the items, which can add up to $75 per student. The event was part of an effort to help kids get excited to start the school year. The department said it was also a good opportunity to build positive relationships in their community.