Uniforms and Wish Lists: How Newburgh Heights Police Are Making Christmas Brighter for Our Students
The holiday spirit shone extra bright this week as the Newburgh Heights Police Department partnered with students from Washington Park Community Schools for their heartwarming annual “Shop with a Cop” event!
A Morning of Merriment and Connection
Fifteen deserving students from Washington Park Community Schools had an unforgettable experience as they were paired up with ten dedicated Newburgh Heights police officers. Together, they spent a morning sharing laughter, holiday wishes, and, of course, some serious shopping time at the Steelyard Target.
The students were able to pick out items they really wanted for Christmas, creating huge smiles all around! This event is a vital opportunity for local youth to build positive and lasting relationships with the men and women who serve and protect their community.
The joy was evident as officers helped fulfill dreams:
- Jonni and Jay-Lynn had a blast shopping with Officer Tillet and Officer Eberly, filling their carts with
every fun girl item imaginable! - Major was thrilled with the HUGE X Shot Ranger Nerf gun, while Vegas held tight to his new Wilson
football. - Jayden scored big with Officer Veverka, getting a new soccer ball and WWE wrestling action
figures. Meanwhile, Christian’s favorite finds while shopping with Officer Hitch were his Avatars. - Lucas was so excited with all his new gifts, he didn’t want to let go of the bag!
- Addelyn R., who was paired with Officer Tashler, went in wanting a purple purse and a doll, but
ended up with something even better: a purple purse with a dog inside! Her pure joy and
excitement were contagious!
“It’s easy to get focused on the day-to-day work, but when you see a child’s face light up holding a gift they genuinely wished for—and knowing you helped make that happen—it reminds you why you put on the badge every morning. This is our community, and these are our kids.” — Chief John, Newburgh Heights Police Department.
“It’s the best day of the year,” remarked one of the officers, “getting to connect with these kids outside of our uniforms and just share some genuine fun. It builds trust, and that’s invaluable.”
The Nice List Reveal!
The excitement didn’t end at the checkout! Following the shopping trip, the students and officers headed over to 49 Tavern to share a delicious lunch together, continuing their conversations and strengthening their bonds.
The cozy atmosphere at 49 Tavern was filled with the chatter of young voices, the clinking of silverware, and the rumble of happy laughter. As they shared their meal, the officers and students talked like old friends, momentarily forgetting the winter chill outside.
The biggest surprise of the day came when they had a special visit from the big man up north himself, Santa Claus! Santa didn’t just pose for pictures—he brought out the official “Nice List”! As he read the names, each student on the list was surprised with even more gifts, topping off a truly magical day and spreading extra holiday cheer.
The Heart of the Donation: The Foundation’s Origin
We want to give a huge shout-out to the Newburgh Heights Police Shop With a Cop Foundation, which provides the generous funding that makes this event possible. The inspiring mission began with a simple desire to help:
“My partner and I came up with the idea 24 years ago. We were working the cold, quiet late shifts, and seeing families struggling just to put food on the table—honestly, our hearts just broke. We knew we had to act. We started doing extra side jobs—shoveling snow, mowing lawns—to gather our own money and personally bring some real help to those families during Thanksgiving and Christmas.” — Retired Officer Tom S., Founder
A couple of years later, they formalized their efforts by creating a non-profit foundation to help more families in need throughout the community.
Passing the Torch
Though he is retired, Officer Tom S. has remained a dedicated part of the foundation. He has recently passed the torch to Officer Glazer and Chief John of the Newburgh Heights Police Department, who are now leading the effort to continue securing donations. Their goal is to ensure that during the holiday season students have a brighter Christmas for years to come.
A Special Thank You to the Participating Officers:
- Chief John
- Officer Tashler
- Officer Tillet
- Officer Eberly
- Officer Veverka
- Detective Glazer
- Officer Dankovich
- Officer Hitch
- Officer Renetta
- Sergeant Halaska
- Retired Officer Tom S.
Thank You to Our Dedicated Staff and Volunteers:
- Ms. Sarah (along with her brother and his girlfriend)
- Ms. Frimmel (and her mother)
- Ms. Brown (and her friends, Brandy and Kellinda)
- Ms. Holohan
Your dedication ensured that every detail was perfect, making the day smooth, organized, and truly special for the students.
Looking Ahead
“Shop with a Cop” is a beloved tradition in Newburgh Heights, and it perfectly exemplifies the strong bond between the police department and the families they serve. Thank you to everyone involved for making this year’s event a spectacular success!
We are truly thankful for having you as a partner. The commitment of the Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Police Shop With a Cop Foundation is invaluable, helping us not just during the holidays, but making a lasting, positive difference in the lives of our students every day.
