Page 10 - WEST FOP BlueNote 2017 Jan Feb Issue
P. 10
Find the Money A Law Enforcement Christmas –
By Ron Wyatt – State Treasurer Cops and Kids
I hope this article finds everyone well and recovering By Greg Brown – State Sergeant at Arms
appropriately from the Holiday Season. As the New Year It is always a wonderful feeling when you see a
child's face on Christmas morning as they see the first
begins most of us have made a New Year’s Resolution or
Pledge. It is not too late for you to add a financial version present that has been placed around the Christmas tree
for them to open. For many children they never have that
resolution or pledge.
I made one and started just prior to Thanksgiving. I quit feeling because they never have any presents to unwrap.
Most of these children are in a situation, which is out of
using smokeless tobacco. I figure I used one can a day on their control and cannot be helped. On December 17th
average. Depending on where I bought it, the cost was from
$4.50 to a little over $5 bucks. Okay, quick math, that is the members of Rocky Mount Lodge 46, along with its
Auxiliary, were able to let 35 children have that feeling.
$35 a week. Multiply that by 52. A little more complicated,
but the total is $1,820. My twin sons now get to choose a Officers from several different agencies around the area
joined us as we held our 12th Annual FOP Cops and Kids
fishing or hunting trip for us to celebrate the year of appro-
priating money in a fashion that shopping event at the Walmart in Rocky Mount. Each
benefits us more as a family. A day child was paired with two or three law enforcement of-
ficers who walked with them around the store to do some
with your kids outdoors, leads to a
priceless memory of time spent to- Christmas shopping.
First and foremost on their list was clothes, shoes,
gether. Who would not want to do
that? coats, bath essentials and then a few toys. Not only was
How about something more this a special event for these children but it was also spe-
complicated? Start using coupons
for your groceries. I actually took cial for the officers and their families who attend every
time to learn from a semi-profes- year. Some say that this is the highlight of their year and
that they will continue to come as long as they are able.
Ron “Duck” Wyatt sional about couponing. The finan-
Treasurer cial plan however is simple. When Retired Rocky Mount Police
Lieutenant Tim Mehus, who is
you pay for your groceries, write a
check to your savings account for what you saved in cou- also the Treasurer of Lodge 46,
pons and discounts. After 3 weeks and $114 in coupon sav- assisted with organizing the
event with the Lodge 46 Auxil-
ings, I saw this was a lucrative way of saving for a family
vacation. And guess what, I only used coupons for things iary. He has been participating
for more than a decade in the an-
we actually ate or used. You learn to buy smart too. Exam-
ple; you eat spaghetti, buy it when it is BOGO or better for nual holiday shopping trip for
a month’s consumption and not just one week’s worth. area families in need. He stated,
“When you take a child around
Make it a challenge at work to see who can do the best in a Greg Brown
Sergeant-At-Arms
month.
the store and ask what they want
Now the obvious question some of you are asking, why
and they say clothing or toiletries, it does the heart good.
would our Treasurer be writing an article to tell everyone
The gratification from these families doesn’t end today,
how to save money? Brothers and Sisters, most of us will either. Years ago, I took around a family from Bailey
have a significant dues increase this coming year. And for shopping and when I see them in the community today,
every naysayer there will be ten members that understand they still run up and hug me and greet me.” The tangible
the importance of finding the money. The benefits of being impact of the $250 per child for the FOP Cops and Kids
a member in the largest law enforcement organization in the shopping trip is obvious.
Lodge 46 Auxiliary President Shannon Brown re-
United States are numerous. My two examples cost you
some time in one example or a healthy lifestyle change in
another. Either way, I am saving at least 17 times more than flected, “It feels awesome to give back to the commu-
nity, especially since some of us have been in their
my lodge dues will increase. And the money is still there
for a nice trip with my sons and/or a nice family vacation. shoes or had family who’ve struggled to make it. While
I look forward to hearing the creative ways some of you we might not be able to help everyone, we can at least
make an impact in the lives of one child at a time.
come up with to save money too. I challenge you for an
email to explain your method or idea. These children really make you realize how blessed you
are in so many different ways. It grounds you and
makes you realize what is important in life.” Cont’d on P.12
www.ncfop.org 10
