Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh is hoping generous residents, business owners and others will send him some money for Christmas.
He’s hoping, in fact, to collect about $4,000.
But it’s not for him-Narsh has 20 officers and dispatchers lined up for this year’s “Shop with a Hero” program.
Through the program, kids from financially struggling families are treated to a shopping trip-with a local police officer-to Meijer for Christmas toys. Kids also take home a food basket.
“We’re appealing to the Lake Orion community to help us give these kids a Christmas,” Narsh said. “Every one of them is from a Lake Orion family, and every dime of donations goes to the program.”
Each child, he explained, is allotted $150 for toys, and gets the remaining $50 in a food basket.
“We’re hoping to collect $4,000,” he said. “Our goal is to take 20 kids shopping this year. We had 12 last year, but more parents are out of work; things are getting worse.”
Last year, an anonymous donor “slid $2,000 across the table” for the program.
“He said it was his goal to make sure no child in Lake Orion went without presents under the tree Christmas morning,” Narsh said. “I personally called every parent after the event, some were crying and every one was grateful and said they didn’t know what they would have done otherwise. This year, things are even more difficult.”
Want to help? Make checks payable to the Lake Orion Police Association and send donations to the Lake Orion Police Department c/o Shop with a Hero program, 37 E. Flint Street, Lake Orion, MI 48362. Questions? Call Narsh at 248-693-832.