by Shannon Rubsamen on December 18, 2011
No really, via the Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8. Each year, the FOP asks churches and local schools to send in the names of needy families who are then invited to “Cops and KIDS”. Each child is assigned an off duty VA Beach police officer or Sheriff’s deputy who holds a $100 gift card allowing the child to choose whatever they want in the store up to that dollar amount.
This was an amazing event which would remind any Scrooge out there about the spirit of Christmas. Seeing the excitement of the kids with their mouths hanging open trying to figure out what to get was just terrific!
Out of the 42 children shopping this morning, one of the shopping carts stopped me cold. The boy pushing it around the store was about 12 years old and his cart had mostly clothing. According to the officer with him, his school nominated him to receive this shopping spree because he wore the same clothes to school every day.
Talk about a reality check. We take so much for granted in our comfy middle class world. I’m not saying that my life is perfect but seriously? The other day I noticed in a Neiman Marcus catalogue that they were selling 4 pieces of 1 inch square cheesecakes decorated like Christmas presents for $110. Who actually buys that stuff???? How can you if you have a conscience?
I realize that we all make choices in life, but there are families out there that despite hard work, still can’t make ends meet and the kids are suffering. They suffer not because they don’t have the latest Ipad but because they sleep on a mattress on the floor of a shelter and the concept of “Mom, what’s for dinner” becomes a whole different ball game! Can you imagine?
I personally have a really hard time donating cash to charities because of the history of mismanagement and fraud in some organizations but I had no problem handing cash to my friend Susan for next year’s group of kids. I should have known to bring some Kleenex when I volunteered to photograph this event because with all the cops around I sure as hell couldn’t get away with shoplifting any. 
If you would like to contribute funds for next year, please make checks payable to the FOP#8 and write Cops and Kids in the memo section. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to a child in need. For more information, like where to send the $$, you can contact MPO Doug Zebley at dzebley@vbgov.com. (Just don’t ask him about his hair)
The reason for my first blog in over a year – pay it forward. Click here to see more pics!
by Shannon Rubsamen on August 26, 2010
By the light of the silvery moon, the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni welcomed the new Virginia Beach Chief of Police James A. “Jim” Cervera during our meeting last night. While he has enormous shoes to fill with the retirement of Chief Jacocks, I got the impression that he welcomes the challenge!
Although born in New Jersey we shall not hold that against him. (My husband is from NY so I had to get that little jab in) That challenge has left him with a wicked sense of humor and strong communication skills! He was even kind enough to welcome ME to “The Dark Side”. A quick learner, he realized quickly that I was already there.
Although, part of me fears he might have suffered some minor brain damage during his 32 year career on the force since he mentioned that he shrank over the years from 6’4″ to his current 5’9″ stature. Wow! This is a tough job folks! As I’ve stated before in previous blogs, he also has complaints about the Department causing hair loss. I see a pattern here….
While this gentleman has a history of Martha Stewart like “Good Things”, my favorite is the fact that as a Lieutenant, he was responsible for the development of the Citizen’s Police Academy of Virginia Beach back in the mid 90s. This is a super program that gives you the inside scoop on how a real police department runs and best of all it’s FREE! If you are interested in attending, here’s a link to an application for the 2011 spring classes. Maybe you too can meet the Chief in person – from the RIGHT side of the bars!
I’d also like to give kudos to Bob Christman last night for a super, although at times challenging, presentation about the technology available to the Department! Believe it or not, even with the current budget challenges, this city is actually in the 21st Century!
(I’ll have you know that I’ve been running around like crazy to prep for the retirement of my husband, the Lt. Colonel, from 21 years in the Marines Corps so for me to take the time to blog for the first time in months should tell you something.)
