Children at Sparks Head Start received a friendly visit-and a surprise gift from the El Paso Police Department as part of the EPPD "Cops Helping Kids" community service initiative.
Officers Joe Ortiz and Eric Casteneda arrived at Sparks Head Start with boxes of brand-new children's shoes, paid for by the El Paso Police department. “It’s good to stay involved with our community's children and show them that we are not only here to protect them but to support them” said Casteneda, “We are fathers and mothers as well and the children in our community are as important to us as our own - they are the future".
The two officers visited the center's four classrooms, distributing the shoes and answering the children’s eager questions about law enforcement. After the visit, each classroom presented the officers with a handmade "Thank you" card created by Sparks Head Start children and staff.
Every PreK, infant, and toddler child received a new pair of shoes - 64 new shoes were donated at the event.