“This is a very special time for me, because I am able lies have had recent challenges. “One family’s house had to give back and help the children who are going through just burned down the week before,” Officer Stewart said hard times and put some holiday spirit back into their of a previous year. “They truly had nothing.” About 15 Christmas,” Brooklyn said. students who need additional help are adopted by the P.O.L.I.C.E. Club and asked to provide a wish list. Stewart After all the gifts are purchased and sorted, the said most of the requests are for basic needs like clothP.O.L.I.C.E. Club holds a big Christmas party at Cooper for ing, and they have to call the parents to ask for toy sugtheir adopted kids. This year’s is slated for Dec. 14 from gestions or other fun ideas. 10 a.m. to noon. While the youngsters are busy watching a movie or In early December, the making holiday crafts, the parents P.O.L.I.C.E. Club holds its Parents’ are taken aside and provided the Night Out fundraiser in the gifts for their children. Cooper gym. This year’s event is Dec. 6. Parents donate $12 per “We tell them they can say student and a new, unwrapped whatever they want to about toy, and club members supervise where the gifts came from,” said and entertain the younger kids Officer Stewart. “It can be Santa from 6 to 10 p.m. with games, Claus, their parents, or us … it is crafts, a movie, and snacks. completely up to the parents.” Parents can sneak in a little Both of the girls say the club has Christmas shopping or just enjoy enriched their lives. “P.O.L.I.C.E. a night out, knowing their kids Club is a great club to have at are having a great time with the our school,” Alexis said. “It’s teens. great for building leadership “Parents’ Night Out is a and setting a foundation for little hectic, but at the end of hard work.” She added that the night, it’s worth it,” said some of her friends surprised Alexis Stroud, Wylie High her by joining, and she has School junior and lieutenant been happy to watch them of the club. “We have little become even better citizens booths set up with carnivaland harder workers. like games for the kids to Brooklyn said the club play, and in the big gym, we plays an important role in her have bounce houses for the life as well. kids to play on as well.” “The P.O.L.I.C.E. Club is one The P.O.L.I.C.E. Club is of the most important things assisted by the Wylie Citizens to me and has taught me to Police Academy Alumni be an overall better person. Association, whose adult memThanks to Officer Stewart for getbers help by monitoring the doors, ting this club started. He has really freeing up the teens to work the changed lives with this club and I carnival games and have fun with hope to keep it going.” the little kids. As for Parents’ Night Out and After Parents’ Night Out has the adopted Christmas kids, Alexis come and gone, club members said the project embodies the take the funds they’ve collected, spirit of the holiday. “I overheard round up the wish lists, and hit some of the parents talking to the shopping trail to supplement Officer Stewart. They were thankthe donated items. “After Parents’ ing him for giving their children a Night Out, we gather all the toys Kids in kindergarten through 12th grade romp in the Cooper better Christmas. It’s an amazing that were donated and divide High gym during last year's Parents' Night Out. feeling to know you’re doing that them among the children we’ve for someone.” adopted,” said Wylie High senior Brooklyn Trout, who has For more information about the event or the club, been captain of the club for the past two years. or to register a child for Parents’ Night Out, visit “The holiday shopping experience is amazing,” Alexis WylieTexas.gov or email Officer Stewart at michael. said. “We go and shop for specific toys that were on the stewart@wylieisd.net. • child’s Christmas list. We’re only given a $200 limit, but Photos courtesy P.O.L.I.C.E. Club we’re able to hit the most important gifts on the list.” 26 • The CONNECTION • December 2019/January 2020
CONN D19J20.indd 26
11/20/19 6:05 PM