This year, I did what I could to make sure my LEO and his platoon knew, beyond all the negativity in the media, beyond all the hatred from common citizens, beyond just sheer ignorance, how much they are truly appreciated and needed. I'm took to Pinterest and found some super cute ideas and gave them my own spin.
When my son and I went to roll call with my basket full of goodies, it was like Christmas morning for these officers, as I was told no one has ever done anything for them (for this week of honor or for Christmas). It was rewarding to see and hear how proud my LEO was to show me off with my basket full of goodies, and to see the officers faces light up and to be told how much they all appreciated the gifts.
I started off with black bags, and used a permanent double sided glue tape to put blue ribbon lines on the bags. The blue satiny ribbon really popped on the black bags. I then wrote in the officers code and last name on the bags.
My favorite was the pocket, one decade rosaries I made for them. I managed to find a tiny Catholic store close to where I live and she had the crucifixes and St Michael medallions I needed. This is the one project my boyfriend helped me with, and without his help, I may not have completed them. I included the St Michaels prayer for police officers and a small homemade badge with thanks for their service.
Not to toot my own horn, but I LOVE the rosaries! And the badges. In fact, I plan on making more in bulk to keep handy to hand out throughout the year instead of just once a year!
Next, I bought a ton of donuts, and rebagged them with a note saying "Donut you know we appreciate you 2015"... Yea, see what I did there?
I also, last minute, decided to make magnets out of the officers last name initial.
Other things included in the bags:
Blue & black coins (for their raise, or lack thereof)
A slim jim
A whoopee cushion
Hand sanitizer
A fake moustache
Tissues
A squirt gun
Gum
A pen
A bouncy ball
Powerade
I included silly things to give the guys something to take the edge off, something to make them smile. It's a thankless job... a stressful, thankless job.
And it's important to me that they know how much they are lovedand supported.
For LEO and family support, here are a few sites:
Wivesbehindthebadge.org/about-us/testimonials
Policewives.org
Behindthebadgefoundation.org/support/law-enforcement-family-network
And two books I love:
Bullets in the Washing Machine
I Love a Cop
