Money from a community walk this weekend will help the families of injured police officers.
A group of teens at Greenwood Community High School who are focused on service learning heard about what families of injured police officers go through and their needs, and decided to help.
The students heard about how even the officers in their suburban community get injured in the line of duty and how families might need financial help during that time, and have organized a community walk and block party that starts at 7 p.m. Friday.
Participants will begin walking at 7 p.m., with a 6 p.m. check in. Check-in is at the Greenwood police station. Walkers will go through Craig Park before they are invited to a block party that will last until 10 p.m.
The service learning class wanted to do something to help a local organization, junior Maddie Bright said.
The school security officer at the time suggested that they do something that would help benefit police officers’ families and the idea was born, said Bright.
“Not many people think of police officers in smaller cities getting injured as much,” she said.
The walk is based off of a similar event that is meant to bring awareness to domestic violence, which is what gave the students the idea to organize a walk, she said.
The domestic violence walks take place at night. For this event, the service learning students wanted to bring even more awareness to the event, so participants will be given glow sticks to carry, she said.
After the walk, participants can eat and examine police cars and other emergency vehicles, Bright said.
One hope is that the walk will help build awareness for what families of police officers can experience, Bright said.
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What: Light up the Night police walk and block party
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Registration starts at 6 p.m.
Where: Greenwood Police Department, 186 Surina Way, Greenwood
Cost: $10 for adults.
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