12/13/2025
We fundraise all year for this one day and every year it’s just a blessing to be a part of. Today, your local FOP lodge took local children to Mount Sterling Walmart to help boost their Christmas and hopefully foster relationships with our youth and law enforcment. It’s an event that if you’ve never been a part of, you don’t know what you’re missing. This event, while put on by Red River Gorge FOP Lodge # 70, would not be possible without help from several other organizations and people.
I first want to thank Kim Tharpe and Pete Thomas of Stanton Dairy Queen. Through its inception and to date, they have eagerly and without hesitation supplied meals after our shopping event for over 20 years for free. We can’t thank them enough for their support. They are locally owned and operated, always investing in their community!!
Steve Caudill and the staff Clay City Dairy Queen have also been a proud sponsor providing meals and support during our fundraising efforts.
I would also like to thank Lisa Mays and the staff at Whitaker Bank of Stanton. They too have been a valuable sponsor since the start, donating every year to the program.
New to the event this year, the staff at Mount Sterling Walmart. Our usually event location was already booked and Debbie and the folks at Mount Sterling rolled out the red carpet and made us feel right at home.
An FOP member since its start, Santa Claus has put a smile on countless local kids faces and we are thankful he has been a pillar of this program.
Lastly, I can’t thank our local lodge members and the volunteers that stepped up to help make this event work. Miranda Kings office always proves a vital role and a helping hand during fundraising and logistical support. We also had local community members help coordinate with buses and children at the schools, these volunteers are the guide wheels to keep us on track.
I know there are more individuals and organizations that I have forgot because as the saying goes “it takes a village” and the number is this village production is vast. Thank you everyone from today and everyday that help make children’s Christmas in our community just a little bit brighter.
