Lamar County Adopt-A-Cop, together with hundreds within the community, are continuing to show their support for local officers with an extraordinary adoption event going all month long.
“My heart was hurting after receiving a message from a great officer about what they’re going through right now. I spoke with our board, and we decided we wanted to do something to remind them how much our community appreciates them,” said Adopt a Cop president Amanda Willows.
For the full month of June, each Monday, the organization is adopting out all 138 peace officers that work in the county to citizens to provide a little extra support and encouragement each day.
What was initially planned for just one week became a month-long adoption event after the organization received an overwhelming response from the community to be a part of the adoption.
“There was such an outpouring of support from the community that we ran out of officers to adopt, which resulted in the board deciding to extend through till the end of the month,” she said.
The organization asks those who adopt officers to pray for and send words of encouragement in a card or letter, treat them to a meal, coffee, or whatever they feel will keep their officer’s spirits up during that week
And locals aren’t holding back in showing their love and support with many sending gifts including prayer cards, gift certificates, home-baked goods, drawings from children, candy and treats, gift cards for their meals, hand sanitizers, and more.
“This adoption is about encouragement and support. Times are hard right now, and we have wonderful officers serving our community,” said Willows.
At noon each Monday, Lamar County Adopt-A-Cop will post to their official Facebook page, and locals who comment, “I Back Our Blue” will in-turn receive a private message that evening with an officer’s name and the department they work at.
“The adoptions go for the full week, so anyone who adopts an officer has until Friday to present a gift or prayer card to them. This special adoption event is about showing kindness and appreciation; it is not about the money spent or not spent,” said Willows. “Some days are more stringent than others for our officers, so something as simple as a special card that they can keep as a reminder when needed can help bring a smile to their faces.
Willows also said that for those that need help to get their gifts to their officer, they could contact the Adopt-A-Cop through Facebook to arrange pick up, and they will ensure that whatever their contribution is, it will be delivered to their officer.