Not waiting until Dec. 25, he delivered $500 worth of arts and crafts supplies donated by the UofL Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 30 to children there Dec. 21.
Patrol officers Bill Unseld and Jackie Cohn and Lt. Jeff Jewell helped Santa (Maj. Robert Bringhurst) carry in the donations. Santa also visited each classroom at the center, offering kids hugs and hellos.
The lodge’s donation to the Early Learning Campus was one of two it this holiday season, said Jewell, lodge treasurer. The group, which has a membership of 14 UofL police officers, also made a $300 donation to the UofL SHARE program. That program provides assistance to eligible UofL staff members who are on out-of-pay status.
It’s nice that we’re able to reach out to our community to help those in need (through SHARE) and to help these children, Jewell said. We wanted to make as much of an impact as we could with the money.
MaryPat Chiavaroli, Early Learning Campus unit business manager, said the teachers and students were grateful for the gifts.
These supplies will make a big difference in our classrooms and studios, she said. It will enhance what we do here.
