Fraternal Order of Police shares Christmas Traditions with local Students

HUNTINGTON — The Fraternal Order of Police Gold Star Lodge 65 hosted its annual Children’s Christmas Party on Tuesday at Redmen Bingo Hall in Huntington sharing holiday magic with 226 local children.

Elementary students from Huntington and Cabell and Wayne counties received presents, food and the opportunity to meet and take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus for the annual party that has been organized for 54 years.

The students ate pizza from Giovanni’s, McDonald’s burgers, chips and cookies, and they left with presents including a blanket, a small and larger toy. Each child got a candy as a dessert and a gift bag with presents.

Officers went table to table giving food, refilling drinks and talking to the children, who sang Christmas songs with officers while waiting in line to meet Santa and played with characters such as The Grinch.

The party, conducted in cooperation with the Huntington Police Department FOP, which represents the Huntington Police Department, Redmen Bingo Hall and the Blue Knights Ride with Cops, gives children the opportunity to have a positive encounter with a variety of different officers in different uniforms and capacities, said Richard Kern, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Gold Star Lodge 65. The party also provides a positive Christmas experience for children who may be considered underprivileged, Kern said.

“A lot of times people only see policemen once or twice in their entire lives, we want to increase the positivity,” Kern said. “A lot of times people when they have contact with policemen, it’s because something bad has happened. At the police department, it’s always been important to increase the amount of times that citizens and children have encounters that are positive.”

The cost of the Christmas party usually averages $8,000 a year and is made possible because of the Redmen Bingo Hall and the Blue Knights Ride with Cops and partnerships including Giovanni’s in the West End, McDonald’s, Kohl’s and Walmart.

Kern said its a community effort; every person who plays bingo or attends any other event at the bingo hall has a hand in making it happen for the children.

Missy Adkins, Title I math teacher at Spring Hill Elementary, said her students were excited to attend the party, see Santa and get gifts. Adkins said she and her students are grateful for the party every year.