Sheriff’s Office C.O.P.S. for Christmas program helps four St. Bernard families for Christmas

Christina Chapman of Arabi is shown with Santa, portrayed by Col. David Mowers, and Chapman’s daughter, Taylor, and son, Adreon.

Shown with Santa, portrayed by Col. David Mowers, is the family of Angelina Lema, standing in the back row.

Shown with officers are the family of Katie Boehm, shown in front holding her daughter, Kamdyn.

Shown at the home of recipient Mindy Davis in Chalmette are, from left, Davis, holding her daughter, Bryahnna Sylvia; and next to son Bryson Sylvia, Lt. Jamie Penton and Penton’s son, Seth; Santa, portrayed by Col. David Mowers, Dep. Shannon Cooper holding her son, Jaxson; Dep. Karleen Noel, Dep. Tracy Canino, Kaya Penton, Dep. Wayne Babin Jr., Cpl. Jeff Babin, Capt. Angela Huff, Maj. Kevin Sensebe and his wife, Nicole.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office C.O.P.S. for Christmas program – standing for Caring Officers Provide Smiles for Christmas – was able to help four parish families with food and presents for Christmas.

Officers primarily from the Communications Division and the Corrections Division, who formed the group several years ago, donate money and get other help to provide needy families a Thanksgiving dinner and at Christmas time family presents, a tree and Christmas dinner.

This year two Chalmette families were selected based on referrals from a school and a day care center for help at Thanksgiving but two additional families, one from Arabi and another from Chalmette, were helped at Christmas.
Families helped for Christmas included those of Christina Chapman of Arabi, Katie Boehm of Chalmette, Angelina Lema of Chalmette and Mindy Davis of Chalmette.

This is the fourth year the C.O.P.S. for Christmas program has been held.
“Participation is growing every year,’’ said Col. David Mowers, head of the Corrections Division which initiated the effort and was joined by the Communications Division. “Now we are getting participation from people in the Patrol Division and others.’’

The Sheriff’s Office is also receiving information through social media about parish families who need help, Mowers said. “It becomes a little overwhelming’’ for those involved but it gives participants a good feeling to do what they can, he said.

Also helping with donations to help the program included the following groups and companies: St. Bernard Kiwanis Club, AARP Council on Aging, St. Bernard Pistol and Rifle Range, Hamilton’s, Courtesy Discount, Par 3, Salon Finesse, Wal-Mart, Big Lots and Home Depot.