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| Kids and cops head to the ball park SOUTH BEND — A community tradition took on a new appearance July 12, as law enforcement and corrections officers volunteered their time to spend time with kids needing a good role model. The first Kids and Cops at the Cove paired officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department with kids participating in programs with the Goshen Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County, the Salvation Army of Goshen, and the Women’s Shelter. “This is yet another wonderful opportunity for our officers to give a little extra to the community where we serve and live,” said Sheriff Mike Books. “We’ve taken children who have needed our help for holiday shopping. We’ve taught hundreds of youngsters how to fish. Now we’ve branched out to share a game we’ve all played and enjoyed since we were kids.” In all, about two dozen children spent time with officers at the game. The Goshen Noon Optimists Club, Cardinal Buses Inc. of Middlebury and Scott’s Computer World of Goshen were participating sponsors for the Kids and Cops event. |  Department volunteers • Chaplains • Internships and job shadowing • Reserve officers
Government resources Safety organizations |
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| Salvation Army honors sheriff's bell ringers GOSHEN — Each year, employees with the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department take a day in December and brave the cold to ring bells for the Salvation Army. The 2007 effort was good enough for the department to take runner-up honors in its division. Bell ringers were honored during the appreciation luncheon Feb. 11 at the Salvation Army headquarters on North Main Street. Undersheriff Julie Dijkstra, a recent addition to the Army's board of directors, accepted the second-place trophy. |
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Rubbed out: Detective Chuck Osterday relaxes while getting a chair massage from Ray of Light's Kris Laidlaw on Oct. 26. Laidlaw donated her time in appreciation of the work done by law enforcement. | |
| Therapy sessions help officers relax GOSHEN — Kris Laidlaw of Elkhart offered her time and strong hands Oct. 26 to Elkhart County Sheriff's Department officers. Laidlaw, a certified massage therapist, gave 15-minute treatments to about a dozen officers needing to break the stress put upon them by working in law enforcement. By the end of the afternoon, Kris' hands and arms were plenty tired, but the the officers appreciated the effort. "I like to be able to give back to those who so courageously serve the public every day," Kris said. "Hopefully this also raises awareness of what good massage therapy can do." Kris is the owner of Ray of Light Holistic Health, 1600 W. Beardsley Ave., Suite 103, Elkhart. For more information, contact her at (574) 294-7100 or visit her Web site. |
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| Officers, kids connect at the fishing hole NAPPANEE — Law enforcement officers volunteered their time again this year to teach children how to fish. The ninth annual Fish with a Cop event was Saturday, Sept. 29, at the pond on the grounds of Fairmont Homes in Nappanee. The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department sponsors the outing with help from numerous businesses, organizations and area police agencies. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Elkhart County assisted the sheriff’s department in connecting about two dozen kids with officers for the day. A great fall morning was made even better when the fish started biting, and a few bass measuring 14 inches or more were pulled from the pond. Kids received fishing poles and tackle, T-shirts and trophies for taking part. Officers from Elkhart County, Elkhart city and the town of Middlebury worked with the elementary school-age children. The Goshen Noon Optimist Club continues to be a major financial supporter of the event. Other contributors were: Fairmont Homes, Travel Tender, Wal-Mart, the Goshen News, Shakespeare Fishing, Norman E. Bryan DDS and Gregory Robbins DDS of Elkhart, Best Western Hotel of Goshen, Image Mill and 1st Place Trophy. |
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Fundraiser for the K-9 unit: Jenna Coleman and Tori DeVries meet Patrolman Jeremy Shotts and Rocco. Jenna met her goal by raising enough funds in six weeks to outfit the department's four dogs with bullet-proof vests. Now, she's planning to take her fundraiser statewide. Jenna's determination worthy of recognition Inspired by a book she read over Christmas break, she raised more than $4,000 during a six-week drive to outfit the department's four dogs with bullet-proof vests. This achievement, though, just makes her want to do more. Jenna hopes to put together a non-profit corporation to take Vest-A-Dog across Indiana. The vests she wants to put on every police dog cost about $1,000 apiece, according to Sgt. Mike McHenry, the leader of Elkhart County's K-9 unit. The citizens award presented by the sheriff is for Jenna's substantial support through acts or deeds that have enhanced and improved the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department. "Jenna's charitable support and effort in organizing and raising the funds to equip our four department dogs with protective vests is outstanding," Sheriff Books said. "Her outstanding dedication is a positive reflection of her values, her parents' support, and the education provided by Prairie View Elementary School. The community thanks you." |
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