A true ‘blue-light’ special

About 20 kids in need of back-to-school supplies and clothes were treated to a shopping spree Saturday at the Piney Green K-Mart by the local Fraternal Order of Police.

Julian Purdue, 14, a student at Wallace-Rose Hill High School, picked out sneakers and said he wanted to get some new shirts.

"I appreciate the help they're giving me," he said. "It feels good to know someone cares about you."

Each child was allowed to purchase $150 of school-related merchandise during the annual "Shop with a Cop" event.

Every year the Onslow-Pender Lodge No. 68 of the FOP selects around 50 students in need of back-to-school supplies by talking with the social services in each county and guidance councilors at various schools.

The FOP has sponsored the "Shop with a Cop" for the last 10 years, said Gunnar Matthews, president of the local FOP and a captain with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Police Force.

"We do this every year for kids that need it," he said. "We also go shopping with them at Christmas time."

Brenda Laskowski, president of the local FOP auxiliary, picked up several of the kids and brought them with her to K-Mart.

She helped a young boy beginning kindergarten decide which clothes he wanted.

Too shy to speak, the boy would shake his head yes or no to shirts Laskowski showed him. The boy seemed overwhelmed with the amount of back-to-school supplies and clothes he was allowed to pick out.

"This is our way of helping these children," Laskowski said.

She held up a red shirt and asked the boy, "You like this?"

He shook his head.

She held up a blue shirt with a red collar and asked "Like this?"

The boy nodded his head and smiled.

"OK. In the cart," she said and placed the shirt in the boy's cart, which was quickly filling up with socks, pants and other clothes that got his nod of approval.

Volunteers helping other kids pick out their clothes followed wish lists prepared by parents and supply lists from each child's school.

Children who needed one got a new book bag, and volunteers made sure that the kids who attend schools where uniforms are required were getting the right color pants and shirts.

Dylan Rishell, 10, a student at Dixon Middle School, said he wanted mostly clothes and had picked out several pairs of jeans and shirts.

"It's exciting," he said about being able to get $150 worth of clothes and school supplies.

The FOP treated about 20 kids to a similar shopping spree the week before.

"Too many to do at one time now," Matthews said.

Contact crime reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read Lindell's blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.