Support for OPP programs helps keep children warm and healthy

The Picton Rotary Club’s Rick Jones, Matt Stiff and Marion Hughes presented $500 to the Prince Edward OPP in support of its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program taught by Const. Kim Guthrie. The nine-week DARE program educates students on the truth about drug use, ways to stay in charge of their lives and encourages kids to make healthy choices. Guthrie has led the program for the past six years, teaching more than 1,300 students.  Funds from the Rotary will go toward workbooks used in the program.

Gerry Mayer, Alfred Gannon and Doug Gannon, representing the Knights of Columbus, presented $500 to Prince Edward OPP Constable Kim Guthrie to put toward the needs of the Adopt a Child Program. The organization has been helping the OPP keep children warm with new winter coats and boots since the program began. This year 159 snow suits and books were presented to County children. Adopt a Child is a collaboration between the Belleville, Stirling, Central Hastings, Napanee and Prince Edward OPP and police services. Celebrating its 25th year in 2012, individuals and businesses helped the program keep 1,100 children warm. “Community support is what keeps the program going,” says Guthrie. “Every year there is an anonymous sweet lady who drops off $2,000 here. She is a perennial supporter and I would like to thank her along with the other private citizens, service clubs and businesses. We couldn’t do this without their help.”