MANSFIELD — August in Richland County always brings the end of summer, and the beginning of back-to-school shopping. For some students, their shopping is done with local law enforcement.
On Sunday, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) William J. Taylor Lodge #32 hosted its 28th annual Cops-N-Kids event at Walmart on Possum Run Road. More than 100 students wandered the store’s clothing section to purchase items for the upcoming school year.
Each student is given a voucher to be used as cash, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and given the freedom to shop and pick out their own clothing accompanied by a lodge volunteer.
According to retired Sgt. Mike Bammann, president of the local FOP lodge, this year’s shopping group came in at over 100 kids. The FOP conducts a five-week telephone fundraising campaign to raise the money for the program.
“We’re funded by the generosity of people in Richland County,” Bammann said. “We want everyone to understand that when we ask for a donation for the program, we do what we say we’re gonna do. And that money stays here.”
Bammann has been president of the lodge for 32 years, even in retirement. He recalled the beginnings of the program 28 years ago, when members were searching for a cause that would make a great impact in Richland County.
“It started off slow and small, and has progressed to this,” he said. “Every policeman that ever comes in this job, that’s probably the worst thing you see in your career, kids that don’t have enough.
“Little kids will talk about this being the first pair of shoes they’ve had that no one wore before them.”
Since 2006, the Cops-N-Kids program has been conducted through the Walmart Lawn & Garden section, and the store has provided staff for check-out as well as snacks and drinks for little shoppers.
Bammann said the FOP raised enough money to assist the families and Sunday and also assist the Richland County Children’s Auxiliary and its New Store effort.
In recent years, the program has worked with the Richland County Children Services’ Kinship Navigator program, assisting families where grandparents and other significant others are taking care of the children.
“Grandparents raising grandkids get very little financial support from the system,” Bammann said. “Now, we’re seeing grandparents from the beginning of the program now raising their great-grandchildren.”
The Kinship 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.
