Airmen take part in Dollars 4 Donuts

USAF photo: Greg Allen Rich Jones, a retired NCO who was assigned to the security forces squadron, solicits donations during Dollars 4 Donuts. Jones, who continues to work at Cannon with the 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, volunteered for the fundraiser that supports the Shop with a Cop program aimed at brightening the holidays for needy children.

Tech Sgt. Andy Nofzinger began his last duty day at Cannon on Dec. 4 by hawking donuts for a cause on Prince St. in Clovis, oblivious to the blustery wind hitting him in the face.

He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. After six and a half years here, he is looking forward to his new assignment in Wyoming, but said he will miss this time of the year at Cannon.

“I have orders for F.E. Warren Air Force Base, but I will definitely miss the Shop with a Cop Christmas program,” he said, “especially the looks on the kids’ faces when they go out with us for presents.”

Nofzinger, other 27th Special Operations Wing Security Forces personnel, and Cannon Police Department police officers were raising money through the third annual Dollars 4 Donuts fundraiser. Funds raised are used for the Shop with a Cop Christmas program, a joint effort between the two law enforcement agencies.

The cops stood in front of Daylight Donuts with signs requesting donations. For their donations, drivers received a box of donuts provided by the donut shop, with the proceeds going to the fundraiser. This year the Dollars 4 Donuts program raised nearly $4,500. The program has netted $18,000 so far.

Dollars 4 Donuts is the only fundraiser for the Shop with a Cop program. The remainder of the monies comes from donations made to the Clovis Police Department or through Watson Motors, who co-sponsors the program.

Rich Jones, a retired security forces NCO who still works at Cannon, said that he was glad that the base had a delayed reporting that day. He volunteered to come out on his own time as Peace Officer of The New Mexico Mounted Police, and if the weather had been good, he would have had to have used vacation time.

As it turned out, he was able to spend a couple of hours raising money on his own time.

Shop with a Cop will take place Dec. 21, said Jones, and this year the program hopes to bring smiles to 150 needy area children. Last year 111 children spent three hours shopping at Wal-Mart with $100 in their pockets for gifts for themselves and presents for others.

The children are selected from a list provided by the Income Support Division of the New Mexico Human Services Department, which helps families in need of food, temporary financial services or health care.

“What I like about the Shop with a Cop program is seeing less fortunate children who usually do not see police officers unless they are responding to their houses or some other kind of unfortunate event,” said Jones. “They get to see that cops are there to help them and keep them safe.”