PICAYUNE —
“When was the last time you were given a soft plushy toy? How did you feel?” asked Father Jon Filkins, Police Chaplain and Priest for St. Barnabas Anglican Church.
Those questions helped to set him on the path in an effort to collect donated toys for the Picayune Police Department. The name of the effort, “Plush for our Police,” has already seen the first delivery of stuffed animals for Picayune Police.
Filkins said, “I’ve ridden with police on calls for domestic disputes and drug abuse situations of which children are usually right in the middle of everything. I have seen these children clutching their stuffed toys and transferring their anxiety to them.
“I know from having seen the scenarios that a simple plush toy can provide additional comfort during times of distress.”
Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey agreed with him and said, “I used to keep animals in the car for children in tough situations. I think it is a good way to let the children know we are here for them; we are police officers but we are human and we care.
“Small touches like this help the children open up. It makes a difference.”
Filkins said, “In today’s budget crisis, all of our community service providers need support. By Sunday I will have bins with the poster on it to identify them as drop sites. We will have one at the Police Department and one at my home located at 612 6th Avenue, in case someone wants to donate anonymously. As of right now, my parishioners and the Picayune Lions Club have committed to supporting this effort.”
Chief Dawsey said, “I certainly want to thank both Father Jon for implementing this and his parishioners for their generous donation. It is a blessing to have a church like Father Jon’s supporting our department in this way.
“I encourage other churches and organizations to join with them and be a part of this effort. I have a heart for young people and this will be a great help in reaching them.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
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Above: Chief Bryan Dawsey, Police Chaplain Father Jon Filkins and a group of donated plush animals from parishioners of St. Barnabas Anglican Church, where Father Filkins is the Priest. The animals will be at the station and in patrol cars to be given to children who may have experienced trauma. Left: The official poster for the toy drive which will be on the initial two drop sites at the Police Department and at Father Filkins home located at 612 6th Avenue. Jodi Marze
Everyday Hero: Local Priest starts effort for children in crisis
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