Newsjournal of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan | September 2023 | Volume 67, Number 9
VOLUNTEERS DELIVER LUNCHES TO OFFICERS SERVING COUNTY
Ray Kisonas - Monroe News
MONROE — Toni Cooper stood in the middle of a room full of Monroe law enforcement officers and uttered the words that she felt weren't said enough: "Thank you." On Wednesday, in a show of appreciation, dozens of CrossPointe Church volunteers delivered 176 lunches to the law enforcement members serving Monroe County.
"You make the streets safe for our kids," an emotional Mrs. Cooper told the members of the Monroe Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. "We respect what you go through on a daily basis. We're doing this completely out of love. All we can say is 'thank you.'"
The 62 volunteers spent the day delivering meals to law enforcement officers, including Border Patrol, Michigan State Police and corrections officers at the county jail. Monroe Police Deputy Chief Charles McCormick IV said that during these times of much anger aimed toward law enforcement officers across the United States, having community members doing something nice is appreciated. "It's hard not to find it touching," Deputy Chief McCormick said. "People do care. And it's nice to know there are men and women in the community who believe we make a difference. It means a lot."
Monroe News Photo by TOM HAWLEY —
Yvonne Goff of CrossPointe Church thanks Sgt. Chad Tolstedt of the Monroe Police Department while Jennifer Vida looks on. Members of CrossPointe delivered lunches to law enforcement members serving Monroe County in appreciation for all they do.
Monroe News Photo by TOM HAWLEY — Cpl. Kent Klemz of the Monroe Police Department helps bring in the lunches provided by CrossPointe Church members. "These lunches are our way to say thank you," said Toni Cooper (right).
Mrs. Cooper, CrossPointe's ministry leader, said the idea to make lunches was born during sessions of Bible study. She said there is so much negativity regarding law enforcement that the group wanted to create a supportive gesture. So they got together and made each officer, deputy and trooper a lunch consisting of a pulled pork sandwich, chips, water, apple and cookies.
Called Random Act of Kindness, the church members now plan to do something nice for specific groups four times a year. They began Wednesday when volunteers arrived at the police headquarters on E. Second St. with dozens of lunches ready to be distributed. "Thank you for your service," Yvonne Goff said to the officers outside the building. "We're praying for your families, too." Karyn Cooley, another CrossPointe member, said she has wanted to do something nice for the community's law enforcement officers for a long time. But she wasn't sure exactly how to go about it.
"God answered my prayers," she said. "I've been waiting to tell them how much I appreciate them."
Capt. Brett Ortolano of the sheriff's office said the gesture was a welcome effort. "We really do appreciate their support," Capt. Ortolano said. "We do work hard to gain the community's trust. We believe we have a special relationship with the community and this is positive feedback."
In each lunch was a card created by children at CrossPointe Church, Church of God and at Holy Ghost Lutheran School. One officer opened his card that read: "Thank you for protecting us! God Bless You." It was signed Caleb.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ray Kisonas is a staff reporter and columnist for the Monroe News, Monroe County, MI.