An anonymous donation to a Licking County nonprofit helped provide 450 coats to elementary school-aged children before Christmas.
According to Jamie Wright, of Starfish Assignment of Licking County, their non-profit organization was trying to address an issue often on officers’ hearts and found that jackets were a common wish list item for officers and deputies. The non-profit organization aims to bridge the gap between Licking Countians and their law enforcement officers.
“In the beginning it was where we get money for coats from? In the last few years we’ve only been able to buy or collect about 25 coats per department,” explains Wright. “One day this year I went to the mailbox and got the mail. We had a substantial donation – completely anonymous.”
Wright said their organization was able to purchase 450 coats, which were recently distributed to five Licking County law enforcement agencies — Newark, Heath, Pataskala, Reynoldsburg and Licking County Sheriff’s Office police departments.
“Our mission as an organization is to partner with law enforcement to help them help others. That was always in their hearts, when they see kids in need of a coat, they want to be able to provide it,” Wright said. “This means a lot because we were able to do this before the Christmas break, before it got to January and it was super cold. Every child deserves a warm coat. For me personally that was very important to me.”
According to Heath Police Chief Dave Haren, their department is working with area primary schools to determine students in need.
“It’s just a great way to help the community in a super positive way. Starfish Assignment is an incredible asset to us and is creating the positive impacts we want to have,” said Haren. “We often react to negative situations for families. Any time we can give something back to the community is great for us.”
In a Facebook post, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office said they are honored by Starfish Assignment Licking County’s coat donations.
“The donations allowed us to provide local schools with a supply of winter coats for those in need,” the agency said, including photos of their deputies delivering coats to area schools.
Wright said the participating law enforcement agencies either worked with elementary schools within their jurisdiction to find homes for the coats or handed them out at their Christmas events with students. Last week, the Newark Division of Police handed out winter coats to every child at their Cops & Kids shopping event.
To make a donation to Starfish Assignment of Licking County or for more information, visit their website or email lcsupport@starfishassignment.org.
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