Front row: Hurshel Hunter FOP #195, Rodney Back, Kilwining Lodge; Julian Keiser, American Legion Post 27; Bill Andrews, Car Show Chairman for the FOP; back row: Teresa Houin, Teachers Credit Union; Shiloh Fonseca, Plymouth Parks Department; Abby Davis; Sherri Campoli, Valmont Structures; and Candace Hunter. Pilot Photo/Rusty Nixon

By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Plymouth’s Shop with a Cop program kicked off its efforts on Tuesday to try to bring a little brighter Christmas to the areas kids.
Sponsored by the local FOP #195 the program has grown to include many local organizations and more kids every year.
“We took 240 children last year including Marshall Starke Development Center,” said Hurshel Hunter of the FOP who heads up the drive. “It’s really hard to believe that we’re starting already but we only have 47 days before we go shopping.”
Local organizations have also gotten on board to help sponsor the event.
“We are working with some very good people at Valmont Towers,” said Hunter. “They are helping us, not only with the ‘Pack a Backpack’ program but they’re going to help us with the food drive and some other things.
“We have a very kind and giving community, this has really turned into a community affair. We have Teachers Credit Union here, the Kilwining Lodge, the American Legion, the Parks Department, local bikers go shopping with us, Bahama Mama’s, Pizza Bills it’s also my understanding that the National Guard will be involved with us this year.”
In addition to raising funds for the annual shopping trip for kids the group is also now taking applications for the program. They are available at the Plymouth schools and WTCA-AM1050 studios.
Those wishing to send donation can mail checks to Plymouth FOP Lodge #195, Box 875, Plymouth, Indiana, 46563.