Lafayette Parish Deputy Makes Valentine’s Day Special for Kids
This story shows just how dedicated our local law enforcement officers are to their communities.
According to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, Deputy Mike Menard has been the School Resource Officer for Woodvale Elementary for going on 3 years and, every year, he makes Valentine's Day special for the students.
Menard began making Valentine's Day cards for the students at Woodvale as a way to introduce himself to the kids back in 2020, as he was new to the school then.
According to a post on the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department's Facebook Page, Menard says that uses his own money and also does some fundraising to pay for the treats.
But Menard isn't just giving out goodies, he's also helping to encourage the students to explore their creative side. A "Disguise a Badge" contest allowed the students to decorate a paper Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office badge. The winners received a Valentine-shaped cookie decorated with a Sheriff's badge.
Seeing the reaction from the kids keeps him doing it year after year.
In addition to the funds from his own pocket, Menard also gets donations from teachers, parents, and even strangers who catch wind of his Valentine's Day mission.
How big is Menard's Valentine's Day operation? Well, this year it topped 750 goodie bags given to students at Woodvale.
The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office posted these photos to Facebook to thank Menard for his service, above and beyond, to his community.
Kudos to Deputy Menard and all of our Law Enforcement Officers who go above and beyond the call of duty!
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