Sheriff's department officers deliver dinners
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WONDER LAKE – When McHenry County sheriff’s officer Gene Lowery stopped by Kyle Freeman’s house Tuesday, the first thing the 3-year-old did was try to handcuff him.
But Lowery, the department's undersheriff, didn’t take it without a fight.
“I busted out,” he said jokingly after maneuvering the trick lever. “That’s the first time I’ve ever been handcuffed.”
Freeman and his three brothers – Derek, 7, Luke, 5, and Jack, 2 – quickly forgot about the handcuffs after they noticed what Lowery was carrying. He had brought a full turkey dinner, eggnog, bread, cookies and even bacon and eggs for Christmas Day to their Wonder Lake home.
“Oh my gosh! This is chocolate,” Derek said.
Then Lowery brought in the fun stuff – sleds, toys and Beanie Babies.
The items were part of a holiday dinner donation program run through the sheriff’s department.
Jen Freeman, the boys' mom, said money was tight, but she still wanted her kids to have a good Christmas.
“You just end up paying a bill late because you’re not going to go through December and let this month pass you by, when you wait for it all year,” she said. “It’s very generous that they considered us.”
The event benefits 30 local needy families, department Capt. Tony Cundiff said. He added that it gave the 15 or so police officers who participated a chance to interact with the community in a light-hearted way.
“A lot of times the families see us in a different light,” he said.
Meijer in McHenry donated the food, along with $20 gift cards for each family.
“Especially with the tough economy, it’s just important that we can do our part to help out,” store Director Jason Duffy said.
The participating officers started at the store Tuesday morning and loaded their squad cars with the food and presents. It was snowing when they set out to make the deliveries, but Cundiff said that wouldn’t stop them.
“We’ll do our best,” he said. “We’ll get them delivered. ... It’s all about helping people.”
