Cops for Kids treats 57 students to Christmas party

Published 10:56 am Monday, December 23, 2024

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This year 57 children from Middlesboro Elementary School joined members of the Middlesboro Police and Fire Departments for the annual Cops For Kids Christmas dinner at the Community Center on Tuesday. (Photos by Jay Compton)

Each child was presented with a bag full of presents, a free book, and had the chance to sit on Santa Claus’ lap before opening their presents.

The party started with a buffet style lunch where each child had their choice of food provided by every restaurant in Middlesboro.

The Cops For Kids party ended with everyone ripping open their presents to see what they received.

Each child was able to unwrap their presents, which had been picked out and wrapped by volunteers from the MHS Key Club.

Volunteers helped the children keep their gifts organized and made sure the mess of wrapping paper was cleaned up following the party.

First responders from the Middlesboro Police and Fire Departments in attendance pose with Santa at the Cops for Kids Christmas party.

Organizer Lt. Harvey Johnson said about $250 was spent on each child this year. In addition to toys, they also received clothes, shoes and pajamas.

A few of the volunteers from the Middlesboro High School Key Club pose with Santa.

All 57 children at the Cops for Kids Christmas party posed with Santa.

The Middlesboro Police Department was joined by members of the Fire Department and Street Department along with the MHS Key Club and other volunteers from the community for their annual Cops For Kids Christmas Party on Tuesday. This year 57 children from Middlesboro Elementary and PreSchool were provided gifts and books.

The children were also treated to a very special lunch buffet with food donated by all of the restaurants in Middlesboro. Santa Claus was on hand to visit with each child as they received their bag of gifts, which includes toys, clothes and shoes.

During Tuesday evening’s city council meeting Police Chief Petie Gilbert praised the efforts of Lt. Harvey Johnson in coordinating the program for the last five years.

“He has went so far now that it’s not just a Cops For Kids thing anymore, it’s more of a citywide thing. He has involved the Fire Department and the Street Department and they were all there,” Gilbert said.

Johnson said helping kids has always been something near and dear to his heart.

“When I got sworn in as a police officer, I promised the city that I wanted to change my community. I was born and raised here, I graduated from here and this was a way I figured we could change our community,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to make a positive impression on these young kids and this is just one way we can do it.”

He said the program had grown so much he decided to get the Fire Department and Street Department involved to pitch in.
“Everybody pitches in and these are all great guys and the kids need to see that,” Johnson said. “They need to see what kind of employees we have here in the city and the people that are out in our community.

Johnson added that this enough funds were raised for Cops for Kid to buy presents for 57 kids, spending right at $250 per child

“I’m so thankful to the community for coming together. Every restaurant in Middlesboro gave and we had so much food — a lot of these children, they don’t get that experience,” he said. “Those kids walked in and their little eyes lit up. They were like: Oh my goodness, this is for me?

“Our job as the police, or just as good humans, is if we can make them smile for two minutes or for the two hours that we have them, that means they’re happy. At least we know they’re happy for that little bit of time,” Johnson added. “That’s why I do this and it’s well worth it.”

Johnson is also heading the MPD’s Stuff a Cruiser Winter Coat Drive. New coats, gloves and toboggans are being accepted at the department through the end of December and will be distributed to students in need within the Middlesboro School District.