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PHOTO: Enjoying the Fairfield Cops Care for Kids event Dec. 15 are front, from left, Jessica Cote, Brennan Cote, Colton Levasseur, Ryan Cote; rear, Paul St. Amand, Casey Dugas, Tom Gould, Nolan Allen, Jerico Champagne, Matthew Wilcox, Patrick Mank. (Central Maine Photography photo)
By Mark Huard
FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Cops Care for Kids Program, which was created 15 years ago by longtime Fairfield Police Department member Kingston Paul, found a new way this year to bring gifts and holiday cheer to local kids.
The program was started by Paul with money from his own pocket as a way to develop a relationship with the town’s youth and help those in need, but grew into something much bigger. That first night 15 years ago, three officers and Paul delivered approximately 35 stuffed animals with a tag attached with all the officers’ names on it, wishing the children merry Christmas. Over the years it’s evolved, and now all of the department’s officers participate, shopping for the presents, wrapping and delivering them, and donating money year-round to help fund the program.
This year, the department added something new, following an idea from Chief Thomas Gould.
Gould said that as the program grew over the years from a stuffed animal to three small gifts and a the department wanted something fun for the kids to enjoy and remember for a lifetime. On Dec. 15 and 16, the Fairfield Community Center was transformed into a Christmas Wonderland and was decorated with lights, presents, Christmas trees and more. The kids got the chance to vote on their favorite tree and win all of the toys underneath, enjoy sugar cookies and hot chocolate, watch a movie and open their gifts.
The Cops Care for Kids Program also continued with its tradition of home deliveries, to honor Paul, a 20-year department member who died in 2016.
“None of this would be possible without the dedication of the department, the donations given throughout the year from members of our and surrounding communities and businesses along with the countless hours of hard work that went into making this all happen,” Gould said.
