Lemoore kids benefit again from Lemoore Police Annual Shoe Drive

According to the two police officers who spearheaded the project, Officer Jeff Hernandez and Officer Kevin Cosper, they were expected to hand out up to 61 pairs of shoes to local kids on Monday afternoon as part of the now annual Lemoore Police Department Shoe Drive.

Officer Kevin Cosper helps out at the Lemoore Police Shoe Drive Monday afternoon.

The department is striving to build partnerships within the community to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens within the City of Lemoore. The recent economic downturn affected many of Lemoore citizens making programs like the shoe drive much more important in the long run.

The Shoe Drive is another offshoot of the department’s Community Oriented Policing program that allows officers to help improve the community through a variety of pro-active ways.

Jeff Hernandez (left) and Kevin Cosper (right) with recipients.

The families showed up Monday at the Lemoore Police Department to pick up shoes and other items, including jackets. The two officers said they were going to distribute up to 61 pairs of shoes purchased from local businesses thanks to a myriad of donations.

This was the second year for this program. Last year, the department served 38 families.

“This year we went around to citizens and organizations and asked for donations, then bought the shoes,” said Cosper. Prior to Monday’s event, police officers visited local schools and asked teachers to select kids they think could use the new shoes then informed the parents that they would be recipients.