Two Wichita Police Officers who were so moved by the hardships they saw suffered by families on their beats, have taken it upon themselves to help raise food donations for Operation Holiday. In these challenging economic times, Officer Dwane Clifford and Officer Benjamin Jonker decided they would have to get creative if they were to be successful, so they have a number of activities planned to accomplish their goal.
First they approached Ameri-cart in Goddard who donated four food bins and Sharpline Converting donated the special stamps to go on the bins. From Nov. 20 through Dec. 6, each of the four Wichita Police substations will have a food bin in the lobby to take donations.
On November 30 Officers at each patrol bureau will man a “drive-thru food lane” making it very easy for citizens to donate food items.
A basketball showdown between local media representatives and Police Officers will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7th at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka. Activities at the church will start at 10 a.m. with the Wichita Police Department SWAT team, the Mounted Unit, McGruff the Crime Dog and the Ident-a-kid program.
The Child Identification Program allows parents to put their child’s vital information, including a photograph, dimensions, and fingerprints on a computer disk. Parents fill out a questionnaire of basic information including height, weight, eye and hair color, blood type and any identifying scars and marks. The computer disk is turned over to parents - police do not keep a copy - and can be updated at any time.
The basketball game is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. and admission to the game will be a canned food donation.
To make a food donation, citizens can come to the game, or drop off their donation at any of the substations: Patrol North Bureau, 3015 E. 21st St. N.; Patrol East Bureau, 350 S. Edgemoor; Patrol South Bureau, 211 E. Pawnee; or Patrol West Bureau, 661 N. Elder.