The Department of Human Services Office of Communications and Community Engagement is excited to present Family Volunteer Day 2017.
Building a rapport with law enforcement is the theme of volunteer day which is on November 18.
“The community and law enforcement working together, being on the same page is important,” said Volunteer Program Coordinator Ezell Breedlove. “When reflecting on my tenure as a police officer, projects of this ilk always made me feel more appreciated.”
In Arkansas upward of 7,000 officers are affiliated with one of the state’s 237 law enforcement agencies. Officers often dedicate countless hours to their demanding duties without much recognition.
“We’ve worked with the Arkansas State Police and the Little Rock Police Department to identify ways that families can build positive relationships with their local police departments,” said Volunteer Program Coordinator Ashley Moses. “We as part of VolunteerAR want to encourage families to get to know their officers. A strong bond being developed between law enforcement and members of the community benefits everyone.”
The VolunteerAR team suggests three ways that a family can show gratitude for their officers.
One option is hosting a fundraiser to aid families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Several organizations provide assistance to the families of slain officers. For more info about those organizations and conducting a fundraiser go to https://www.volunteerar.org/FVD.
Creating a card or sign to thank an officer for their service is also recommended. The crafts can then be delivered to a local law enforcement office upon completion.
Taking a selfie-style photo is the third way a family can build a rapport with an officer. When seeing a cop, introduce yourself, learn something about the officer, and conclude the dialogue by taking a selfie with the cop. Afterward, post the photo on social media and use the hashtag #SelfieWithACop.
“Family service activities are an easy and fun way to show respect for law enforcement,” Breedlove said. “Officers risk – and sometimes lose – their own lives to protect a citizen’s safety.”
The three activities are bound to provide an unforgettable experience for families.
“There are several benefits to volunteering as a family,” Moses said. “It’s a great way to build memories, teach children about their community, and cultivate positive values.”
For more information about Family Volunteer Day and various community service opportunities in Arkansas, go to volunteerar.org.