Seymour Police Department Capt. John Watson, left, helps Matthew Fitch, 12, find a pair of shoes as part of the Cops and Kids program Saturday at Walmart Supercenter in Seymour.
Zach Spicer | The Tribune
Giving back
Thumbs up to the local police officers who took time out of their busy lives Saturday to help the children who benefited from the 27th annual Cops and Kids program. Ninety kids each received $150 to spend this year thanks to the yearlong fundraising efforts of the Fraternal Order of Police Donald M. Winn Lodge 108. Each family also received a box with a frozen turkey, vegetables, rolls and a dessert. A related thumbs-up to all of the individuals, organizations and corporations who contributed to the cause. For information about the program, visit facebook.com/foplodge108.
Repaying veterans
Thumbs up to the group of 20 or so who gathered Dec. 7 at Zabel Funeral Home in Brownstown to put together gift bags for Jackson County veterans who are in a nursing home or homebound this Christmas. The 13-year-old project was started by Wayne and Judy Gilbert as a way to help veterans during the holidays by providing them with personal care items, such as toothpaste, soap, deodorant and other essential items.
Creating Christmas cheer
Thumbs up to the students at Brownstown Central Middle School for raising more than $7,000 to purchase 1,344 toys for 228 children for Christmas. The fundraiser is part of the annual Christmas Cheer program, a Brownstown community initiative that provides toys and food to local families at Christmastime. Students at Brownstown Elementary School also deserve a thumbs up for collecting food during a nonperishable food drive. This year’s goal is to collect 4,000 items for the cause.
Aiding the cause
Thumbs up to the Seymour elementary school students for raising $6,764.20 through penny wars for the recent Seymour High School Riley Dance Marathon. A related thumbs up to the Seymour Middle School students for raising $804.60 — also through penny wars — for the same cause and the Seymour High School students who brought in $1,901.40 through their own penny wars. The penny wars were all part of this year’s final fundraising total of $21,074.40 — exceeding the goal of $15,000. The other fundraisers this year included selling fans and bracelets at graduation, seniors painting parking spots, passing canisters through the crowd at the Jackson Bowl football game, selling big cookies and St. Ambrose Catholic School having a jeans day.