12/12/11 The cafeteria at Plymouth High School was overflowing Saturday morning with policemen and women, firemen, EMTs, volunteers and 342 children and their families who had been picked to participate in the Shop With A Cop and Emergency Services event sponsored by Plymouth F.O.P. 195.
Families began arriving at the school before 8 a.m. Saturday for breakfast provided by the local Masonic Lodge. The Masons have been providing breakfast for the Shop since 2003 or 4. Following breakfast Hurshel Hunter, President of F.O.P. Lodge 195 told those gathered that “god should be first in your life followed by your family.”
Hunter said the Plymouth F.O.P has a mission to help the youth in the community, the law enforcement, educators and military. He then commented that approximately 180 National Guard troops will be leaving from the Plymouth Armory on January 4th heading off to Afghanistan.
While the shopping assistants were heading off the Wal-Mart preparing for the 342 children, Indiana State Police Bremen Post Commander Jim Strong asked the families to focus their shopping on warm clothing and necessities. He also said he’s been asked many times by a family, “how can we every paying this back?” Strong said, “We want you not to worry about paying us back, but pay it forward.” He continued, “We don’t need your money, I want you to shovel the sidewalk or driveway for your elderly or disabled neighbor. You can pay it back by helping someone else.”
Families were dismissed in two waves. Wal-Mart was a busy place, especially in children’s clothing, shoes, and of course, toys.
