25th annual ‘Cops and Kids’ Sunday helps 145 local children buy new clothes

MANSFIELD — Jalesa, 10, smiled shyly when Mansfield police Sgt. Jon Ahles asked questions about what she next wanted to shop for Sunday morning.

Her great-aunt Dream Stamper helped to fill in the blanks.

“Anything with no buttons,” Stamper said with a smile as Jalesa smiled again, this time with more confidence and in total agreement.

It was a scene being enacted through the clothes aisles at Walmart on Possum Run Road during the 25th annual “Cops and Kids'” program, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police William J. Taylor Lodge #32 in Mansfield.

Jalesa, a fifth-grader, was one of 145 local children selecting new clothes and shoes on Sunday, most of whom were selected through the Kinship program at Richland County Children Services.

Among the 60-plus volunteers helping caregivers and children make selections were Chief Keith Porch, Assistant Chief Mike Bammann, Capt. Chad Brubaker, Capt. Shari Robertson, as well as retired police officers, including former Assistant Chief Tobie Smith and Capt. Marijan Grogoza.

It’s open to children in preschool through 12th grade, according to retired Mansfield police Sgt. Mike Bammann, who has led the local FOP lodge for 28 years and helped to start the program.

Bammann estimated the program, funded by an annual FOP fundraising event, has helped provide around $380,000 in new clothes for children since its inception.

“Kinship is often grandparents raising their grandkids,” Bammann said. “Over the 25 years, we’re now seeing their the same grandparents helping to raise their great-grandchildren. It’s a big need for grandparents who struggle in their efforts to take care of these kids.

“That’s kind of who we align ourselves with each year,” he said, adding the amount each child can spend is dependent on their grade in school, ranging from $125 for the youngest to $175 for the oldest.

The FOP is a tax-free organization so the young shoppers had to pay no sales tax for their items, he said.

“The children can buy clothing or other personal items,” he said. “No toys, no games … none of that stuff. “Many FOP lodges do similar programs before Christmas, but we found from the beginning that we better serve the children and families of Richland County by doing it close to the beginning of the school year.”

Rhonda Marsh, Kinship navigator at RCCS, said the agency’s program is open to any adults taking care of children who are not their own. For more information on the program, call the agency at 419-774-4100.

Events such as “Cops and Kids” help build bridges between the police department and the community, according to Bammann.

“We have a history as far as the FOP, in our lodge, that we really don’t bang on our gong and we should do that more,” he said. “Our lodge and police and law enforcement here in Richland County spends a lot of time each year serving the community, especially the children, the needy children and families.”

He said the FOP fundraiser also allows the lodge to make donations to The New Store, which provides clothing to children year round and the Friendly House.

“Our fundraising efforts reach far beyond today’s event,” Bammann said.

Though he retired years ago, Bammann remains active as the president of the FOP.

“When I got into law enforcement, it was a career,” he said. “It was a lifestyle. When I retired, I guess I didn’t know how to quit. So even though I don’t go to work every day, I’m still part of the law enforcement community trying to give back, especially to the younger guys.”