BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

The Iredell County Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge 10) helped bring Christmas cheer to 66 children Thursday night.

Meeting at Walmart, the children and their families were greeted warmly by personal shoppers provided by the FOP.

Nearly two dozen volunteers from the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, Mooresville Police Department, Statesville Police Department and others helped families choose clothing and personal hygiene items.

The FOP also provided toys thanks to generous FOP supporters and businesses.

FOP President Rodney James expressed his gratitude for all the volunteers and donors who support the annual effort.

“I’m happy we’re at a place where we can help these children out,” he said. “We have such a tremendous outreach in our community.”

The FOP has nearly 1,400 members.

Recently, at an associate Christmas party, James was approached by a woman with a special-needs daughter and asked to support the Iredell County Special Olympics.

“I can always count on our FOP members to help out, so I asked them to buy some tickets and we bought all the tickets she had,” he shared.

It didn’t stop there. James also asked his members to pass the hat.

“It’s something I rarely ask them to do, and we haven’t in three years since Covid,” he said. “We passed the hat and collected $1,210 to assist the Iredell County Special Olympics. It’s the generosity and giving that makes me do what I do.”

Photos