"It's Already Been Taken Care Of": Shop with a Cop Assists LCCTC Students
By Hannah Hasson, Welding sophomore
Shop With a Cop is one way for police officers to help children in the community in need, in a fun way! On Wednesday, October 23, the SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Team was pleased to share this experience with their favorite SRO, New Castle police officer Corporal James Hoyland. Eager to make take their way to the Beaver Valley Mall for a bit of after-school shopping experience, the goal was to restock New 2 U, Lawrence County CTC’s student clothes closet -- thanks to a generous $300 grant from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 21.
On the previous Friday, the O & C Team spent a few after-school hours in New 2 U, cleaning and organizing to ensure that the inventory would fit the dress code; as a result, the team knew that their main priority was to purchase good-quality jeans at a price that could make the grant last as long as possible.
Because she was involved in the cleaning and sorting, Stormie Rotnour, junior Health Assistant student states, “Our closet contains shirts and jeans available to all students in need.” No matter the reason there is, most likely, something for anyone!
Corporal Hoyland, with an “Eagle-eye” for a good buy, knew just where to go: Rural King. In the end, the team was able to purchase several pairs of jeans in a wide variety of sizes, ensuring that those with a need would have what they needed.
Sophomore Hannah Hasson knows how rough LCCTC students can be on clothes. As she learns to weld, she knows that students often have trouble keeping their clothing clean and free from the wear and tear that comes from putting in a day of hard work. “The experience of shopping with a cop was wonderful,” she states. “Corporal Hoyland made sure that we kept organized and focused as we filled our wish-list of sizes.”
Katie Bober, sophomore Veterinary Assistant states, “It was nice to be able to help out LCCTC, and the shopping trip was fun, too!”
“It was a fun, easy-going shopping trip that helped us help others,” says Cam Hooks, Auto Technician junior states, “but as a newly-formed team, we experienced an unexpected benefit, as well; in the process, we were all able to bond together, too.”
Maylene Ritter, sophomore Cosmetologist agrees. “Through service activities like this and others, we have grown close as a team, but we have come to understand the importance of caring for others.”
Rotnour speaks for the team when she states, “We’d like to send a big thank you to Corporal Hoyland for accompanying us, ensuring our safety, and guiding us to great stores with great prices. Thank you also to the FOB Lodge 21 for their generosity. We had a good time and enjoyed helping others the most.”
For these LCCTC students, Shop with a Cop was a great experience! It’s a wonderful program that truly helps students, especially those who are tough on clothes as they learn a worthwhile skill. It is easy to agree: No student should have to worry about making sure they have what they need for school.
Thanks to the New Castle Police Department and the FOP Lodge 21, students who work hard to learn their trade can hear the words that Corporal Hoyland shared with the O & C Team that day:
“Don’t worry. It’s already been taken care of.”
