For over 500 children living in Miami County Santa Claus doesn’t just come down the chimney or ride a sleigh. For these kids, Santa arrives riding on a fire truck or in a police patrol vehicle.
“We get the best reactions,” Cops for Tots volunteer Barb Fisher said. “The children are always so excited when Santa comes up on their porch, with a bag full of presents.”
According to Fisher, Cops for Tots is an organization that gives children a brighter Christmas by providing them with presents and a holiday meal.
“I volunteer because I like being involved in something that has a positive effect on our community,” Fisher said.
According to Fisher, Cops for Tots is the largest organization in Miami County that helps children. Not only does Cops for Tots provide hundreds of children with Christmas gifts through the angel tree project, this organization teams up with the Salvation Army to provide back packs to kids at the start of the school year and helps families’ who have lost their homes.
“Volunteering with Cops for Tots can be very rewarding,” Fisher said. Knowing that you made a child’s Christmas morning brighter is a great feeling.”
The organization began in 1995 in memory of Sheriff Ken Davis, Fisher said.
“Sheriff Ken Davis always wanted the children to have a memorable Christmas morning,” Fisher said.
18 years later 5 main volunteers run the organization and many volunteer to wrap gifts and adopt angels.
“We need volunteers to help during our busy times, or those that have ideas that would make our organization bigger and better. We are always open for new ideas to spread the word about Cops For Tots,” Fisher said.
How you can help
By Dec. 6, nominate a child to be placed on the angel tree, guaranteeing them three Christmas gifts.
By Dec. 13, sponsor an angel living in Miami County (How to below).
Help wrap Christmas gifts that will be delivered to angels by fire fighters, police officers and others just before Christmas.
Spread the word about Cops for Tots
How to Sponsor an Angel
1. Pick an angel from the angel tree located at the Sheriff’s office, 118 South Pearl St, Paola KS 66071. The Sheriff’s office is open Mon.- Fri. 8:00 A.M to 4:30 P.M
2. Shop for the Angel- Each angel receives at least 3 gifts none of which exceed $50.00.
3. Return gifts to Sheriff’s office by Dec. 13
4. Gifts are then placed in colorful sacks until the big day
5. The week before delivery, angels not already adopted are shopped for by Cops for Tots volunteers.
6. Gifts are then delivered to the angels by fire trucks, sheriff vehicles and police department vehicles
Information Courtesy of Barb Fisher