Every year, the small town of Martinsburg comes alive with the spirit of Christmas as the annual Santa with a Badge tradition takes center stage. Active duty officers and retirees from various law enforcement agencies gather to make the holiday dreams of children come true. This year, they returned to the familiar walls of WalMart at Spring Mills, where they have been shopping for the past four years.

The Power of Community Partnerships

Ben Holben, the secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 83, couldn't be more grateful for the partnerships that make this event possible. Spring Mills Walmart has been a steadfast partner for three years now, providing a space for the children to shop and select their gifts. The Spring Mills' McDonald's also joined in, offering a delicious breakfast to each child, while Hagerstown's Krispy Kreme added a sweet touch by providing donuts. Project Linus, a long-time partner, returned for a third year, presenting a blanket to each child on the list. These partnerships truly bring the community together during the holiday season.

Law Enforcement's Heartwarming Role

Officers from both Berkeley and Jefferson County sheriff's departments, along with those from Ranson Police Department, Charles Town Police Department, Martinsburg City Police, the West Virginia State Police, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Reserves and court bailiffs, all came out in full force. Jay Longerbeam, the current president of the FOP, was amazed by the great representation of departments. He shared, "We had a great representation of departments, and it was wonderful to see Berkeley County out this year as Sheriff Rob Blair joined us for his first time shopping. The number of Jefferson County Reserve officers who arrive each year to escort the children is truly amazing." Robbie Roberts, the Ranson Police Chief, who has participated in the program for approximately 36 years, also enjoyed escorting two families during the shopping hours. As the children tried to decide what they wanted and how far their $100 would go, it was a heartwarming sight to see the officers interacting with them.

Making Holiday Dreams Come True

Through established criteria and referrals from schools, churches, and other entities, 100 children were selected to take part in the Santa with a Badge project. These children ranged in age from infants to teens, including some siblings and single-child families. Each child was paired with an officer who helped them keep track of their spending. Of the 100 scheduled to participate, 97 arrived, ready to make their Christmas wishes come true. As the children shopped, they were filled with excitement and anticipation, knowing that they were about to receive gifts that would bring joy to their holiday season.

Funding the Holiday Magic

Longerbeam and Holben emphasized the importance of funding to continue this beloved program. They work hard to raise approximately $10,000 each year to select 100 children. Their main fundraising method is through telephone solicitation, but they are also open to direct donations. Donors can visit the FOP website at FOP83.org and click on the link to donate via Paypal. Checks can also be mailed to FOP Lodge 83 at P.O. Box 2694, Martinsburg, WV 25402. While they hope to one day have a Lodge home for trainings and other meetings, the Santa with a Badge program remains their top priority.