Patrol car packed with donations.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Every winter before Christmas, something special takes place in Sublette County, thanks to the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association’s support of its local Division T.
Most divisions work with local law enforcement agencies, which here is the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office. Last winter’s “Cram the Cruiser” event parked a deputy’s patrol truck in front of Ridleys, filled to overflowing with toys and lots of food, recalled WHP Lt. Klief Guenther.
The groceries went to local food pantries for distribution.
This year, First Lady Jenny Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative also donated a financial boost – and the result is Division T and many supporters delivered holiday meal gift baskets to 48 families across Sublette County, Guenther said.
“Turkey, ham and all the trimmings,” he said. “It was a joint effort around the county – us, the sheriff’s office, school districts, preschools and the therapy community attached to them.”
As school resource officer, Deputy Ryan Day worked with them to find those families who really, really needed the extra help this winter and who remain confidential. Ridleys went to work to fill to overflowing 48 holiday meal baskets that county emergency manager Jim Mitchell transported for delivery.
Having two troopers and a deputy appear at front doors in Pinedale and Big Piney might make some curious but those receiving were “really tickled to get what was us providing a gift at Christmas,” Guenther said.
With “Cram the Cruiser,” officers interact more with the generous donors so in this case it was heartwarming “getting to see people’s eyes light up – it was a lot more personal,” he added.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association also donated cash cards for Division T to help two hard-working “struggling” families with children
From Cheyenne, WHP Sgt. Jeremy Beck thanked Sublette County on Facebook: “This is truly what Wyoming is about! Throughout
the entire process, it was very moving as multiple Sublette County residents stepped forward offering to contribute more to these local families in need. The chain reaction of giving that came from this shows how great Sublette County is about taking care of its residents.
Beck also gave “a special thank you” to Sublette school counselors, principals and school resource officer deputies who take time to really get to know our students and help identify those in need.
