Monday, November 3, 2008 9:18 PM CST
Mock election kicks off week of fundraisers for Shop with a Cop program
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — A week full of fundraisers for the annual Charleston Shop with a Cop program will kick off Tuesday with a mock election at Jefferson Elementary School.
Other fundraisers will include a celebrity bartender event Tuesday at Marty’s, a wine tasting Thursday at the Charleston Country Club, and a pork chop dinner Friday at the Charleston Moose Lodge.
Their goals are to help the Fraternal Order of Police raise enough money to take Charleston area children in financial need, ages infant to 15, shopping Dec. 7 for Christmas gifts and necessities.
“We try to get a minimum of 100 children through each year. The past three years we have surpassed that number, getting 130 or more each year,” said Tony West, a police union member. Applications for children to take part in the program are available at the police station.
Jefferson counselor Roxanne Cornebise said the students on the school’s new Character Council decided to hold a mock election as an example of citizenship.
“They also wanted to raise money for a charity in the process, highlighting kindness and caring,” Cornebise said.
According to Cornebise, Coke and Pepsi will be the national candidates in the election, and the winner will be chosen based on electoral votes. Popular votes will determine the outcome of the state election, Cubs versus Cardinals, and the local election, dogs versus cats.
The Character Council designed stickers for each candidate for students to buy as a fundraiser for Shop with a Cop, Cornebise said.
In addition, Cornebise said students and staff are allowed to wear baseball caps Monday and Tuesday to support their candidate. The fee for wearing a hat, $1 for two days, is also part of the fundraiser.
Cornebise said Jefferson staff, Eastern Illinois University students, and Jefferson students’ parents and grandparents are also invited to vote. The polling booth will be in front of the main office.
“When family members vote, they can send their child a note letting them know they voted and congratulating them for exercising their right to vote,” Cornebise said. Coca-Cola and the Cardinals have donated small treats that parents can attach to the note for a donation to Shop with a Cop.
Cornebise said the sixth-grade math classes will crunch the voting numbers and the winners will be announced during an assembly Wednesday morning. She said students also have created campaign posters and will serve as election judges alongside police union members.
“We encourage family members to join us in participating in this wonderful and innovative student-driven project while supporting the Fraternal Order of Police in their important charity that provides Christmas to children,” Cornebise said.
In regard to the other fundraisers for Shop with a Cop, the election night celebrity bartender event is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Marty’s
Union member John Bennett said the local celebrities will include EIU coaching staff, police officers, and more. He added there will be a silent auction and a planned appearance by the Miller Lite girls.
Gateway Liquors owner Carl Wolff’s annual wine tasting fundraiser is scheduled for 4:30-730 p.m. Thursday at the Charleston Country Club.
The Fraternal Order of Police’s annual pork dinner is schedule for 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Charleston Moose Lodge. Tickets are $10 in advance from union members and at the door.
Donations for Shop with a Cop also can be sent to the Charleston Police Department, 614 Sixth St., or Charleston F.O.P., P.O. Box 475, in Charleston, Ill. 61920.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.
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