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Police officers in Omaha, Nebraska, have found a unique way to protect and serve their communities by participating in the Kids and Cops program, a charity aimed at helping children with serious health problems and their families worried about their health and impending medical expenses.
The Kids and Cops program was founded about five years ago by Constable Katie Rath of the Omaha Police Department, through the Omaha Police Officers Association.
“It was started for children facing serious health issues in the hopes of giving them and their families a break from what they’ve been through,” Rath said in a statement to FOX News, explaining that officers bring much needed joy in an otherwise difficult situation. situation.
“The officers and their family members are truly remarkable for all the work they have put in and have a great heart. Their ability to be childish and silly during these events has created a wonderful environment for children and their families to spend. have fun times together and forget about the hard times they went through, ”said Rath.
Agents who join Kids and Cops to help out at events do so on a voluntary basis, some contributing hundreds of hours each year without asking for any kind of recognition.
“Each year, we are able to help hundreds of children through the volunteer work of officers, their family members, the Omaha Police Officers Association, the Omaha Police Department and many organizations, ”Rath explained. “It was such a success that we partnered with many organizations to give families tickets to events, prizes, meals and penpals.”
Rath explained that Kids and Cops initially organized events in hospitals to support sick children and their family members. Over time, these families were invited to visit specialized units within the department, including their helicopters, K9, horse patrol, honor guard, traffic unit, bagpipes and drums, detectives and uniform patrol units. and command staff.
Kids and Cops, which is completely free for families, also sought to make children’s personal wishes come true, offering them seasonal attraction tours, and taking them behind the scenes for unique interactions with nationally recognized groups.
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Police have also stepped up their efforts through established partnerships with local businesses and organizations including Children’s Hospital, Carolyn Scott Rainbow House, Nebraska Medical Center, Ronald McDonald House, Make a Wish, Muscular Dystrophy Association for Kids and the Omaha Fire Department.
“All of the organizations we have partnered with go above and beyond to make the tours memorable and special for children and their families,” Rath added.
These officers and their family members, who joined them in helping, were also widely applauded in the local community for their efforts.
“Recently, a national company called RollKall which helps individuals locate police and fire stations awarded four people nationwide for their contributions to the community and provided a cash award to return to the organization. charity of their choice, ”explained Rath, also the award recipient.
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The pandemic in progress, however, has had an impact on Kids and Cops’ ability to help people in hospital.
“During COVID, we took more care and precautions to address concerns about children’s compromised immune systems, however, still serving them and their families,” Rath said.
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