By Paul Thompson

Northeast News

Nearly 600 free holiday hams were distributed at KCPD’s East Patrol Division in just 32 minutes on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 20, thanks to a partnership between the department and Hy-Vee.

The holiday ham giveaway began at 4 p.m., and was scheduled to continue until 6 p.m. Hundreds of area residents began lining up well ahead of the event, however, and the entire stock of hams were depleted in just over 30 minutes. The event was part of a multi-city effort by Hy-Vee to give away thousands of hams for the holidays.

“Hy-Vee contacted the police department, because they wanted to do something for the community,” said East Patrol Officer Rita Olson-Stawicki. “So Hy-Vee advised that they wanted to donated 500 hams, and then from there we just hit the ground running and started putting it together.”

According to Olson-Stawicki, the event was made possible thanks to the help of nearly 40 volunteers, both inside and outside of the police department ranks.

“We had both civilian volunteers and law enforcement volunteers,” said East Patrol Officer Rita Olson-Stawicki. “I had two of the basketball teams that practice here at East Patrol – the Yellowjackets and the KC Blackout – the kids from those basketball teams came in to help volunteer to set this up. It was a matter of off-loading the semi, off-loading the hams, getting them bagged up in the Hy-Vee sacks and then getting them into this room. All the volunteers and law enforcement were instrumental in getting that done.”

The efforts were appreciated by those who attended, and Olson-Stawicki said that the department was happy to serve the community.

“They were very thankful. With them being able to get a free ham, it’s going to make a big difference in some households,” Olson-Stawicki said. “That’s the number one thing, is helping our community. If we can do a community event that helps them, then we’re all over it.”

East Patrol remained in the giving spirit on Thursday, December 21, when it partnered with Toys for Tots to give hundreds of toys away to area children between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

“The parents that come in have to bring the children with them. Hopefully we can get some toys under those Christmas trees for these kids,” said Olson-Stawicki ahead of the event. “Our conference room is overflowing with toys right now.”