Organization Gives to “Shop with a Cop”

This Christmas season, one local organization is remembering a lost loved one by helping children in need.

The Perry County Coon Hunters raised more than $4,500 this year for “Shop with a Cop,” a program that gives area children a Christmas they may not otherwise get. On Friday, representatives from the club presented the Fraternal Order of Police Association of Zanesville with an honorary check.

“The Perry County Coon Hunter’s Club, small group, decided they wanted to help out this year, they had a young boy, 13-year-old boy, Jared Helsel, who passed away of cancer two years ago, so they did as a memorial fundraiser,” said Jim Hicks, President of the FOP Zane Lodge #5.

Jared Helsel had a strong passion for hunting, which inspired the organization to do something in his honor. His mother, Niki Helsel, said the memorial is a way to keep his memory alive, while giving back to the community that so generously helped her family in a time of need.

“Jared actually played for the FOP Lodge in 2009 for baseball, and he also was very big into giving to kids that were less fortunate than him,” Helsel said. “With our additional contribution, that’s an additional 45 kids who are going to get a Christmas, and all because my baby loved to hunt.”

This December, area cops will take children to Walmart for a day of Christmas shopping.