By Tammie Hetzer-Womack

For The Tribune

BELLEFONTE, Ky. — J. Ryan and Amy Conley welcome homespun holidays with friends. The giving horse lovers share the spirit around their LeMaster Stables family business in Westwood and are thankful for all life offers.

That’s why when Conley – an Ashland city police sergeant – sees children in need of food or clothes, he wants to giveback even more.

“Growing up I always had anything I ever wanted and needed at Christmas,” he remembered, adding he shares the same joy each holiday with his stepson, Jordan.

“But there are kids who need simple items like a winter coat – little things we just take for granted. That gets you.”

The couple spent Saturday at the 68th annual Ashland Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3 Policeman’s Ball benefit here. Conley said he’s honored to share the night with local folks praying to make Christmas dreams come true for tots.

“It’s always humbling when you see how many come out to see to it children have a Christmas,” he said. “Many of them here tonight will never see the kids we serve. But they still give. Well, that’s heart.”

A merry night

Around 150 guests shared holiday spirit at the Policeman’s Ball at Bellefonte Country Club sponsored by the Ashland FOP lodge. The dinner and dance assists its 18-year-old annual Shop-with-a-Cop program which is witnessing a historic number of family requests this Christmas season, due to the region’s floundering economy.

The project allows needy children and teens a chance to go to the department store, hand-in-hand with a patrolman, trooper or deputy, purchasing Christmas gifts for themselves and family.

Acting as Santa for the day to around 150 children, they purchase toys, clothes or sundries. Last year the Ashland lodge spent $24,231 doling out a budgeted $200 on each child.

In the past six years, the lodge spent in excess of $125,000 assisting Father Christmas, added city police Sgt. Tim Renfroe, who heads up the program. For many little ones, presents received at the morning shopping spree will be Saint Nick’s only visit.

Without the munificence of Policeman’s Ball guests and continued openhandedness of the community, law enforcement couldn’t provide Shop-with-a-Cop, Renfroe said.

“The more donations, the more kids get to shop,” he said. “It’s the small businesses and individuals that keep it going. This is a great night. The ballroom is packed and local professionals are out in full force supporting us.”

Supporters sat at floral-touched table rounds engaging in a buffet meal served by the Bellefonte Country Club executive chef Chris Ross and his practiced kitchen staff.

The bill of fare began with a mixed green salad with a palette of dressings. Diners enjoyed a chef-carved prime rib station with au jus and horseradish cream sauce and Italian-marinated grilled chicken breast with roasted garlic cream sauce.

Entrees complemented by Bev’s pecan-crusted southern sweet potato casserole; Idaho smashed potatoes with country peppered gravy; Brian’s Kentucky green beans with bacon; an herbed California medley of garden vegetables, and in-house, sweet soft yeast rolls.

Concluding the feast, Big Apple pastry chef Melissa Schell prepared New York style cheesecake, Italian Cream Torta, and a chocolate mousse gateau.

After dinner, revelers enjoyed snacks of smoked barbeque meatballs; Southern fried chicken tenders with homemade ranch and honey mustard sauce; Frank’s Buffalo Chicken with peppercorn Bleu cheese; mini crab cakes with Cajun remoulade; tri-color tortilla chips with fresh cilantro salsa, and potato chips with caramelized onion dip.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to prepare the meal for this charitable event,” Ross said. “At this time of year it’s all about giving back to kids and making sure they have a great Christmas.”

The dance floor boomed and attendees boogied as local music star Jessica Baldridge and her band performed popular hits and dance tunes.

Providing police families

Number one, Amanda Clark is a police officer’s wife and mother. Shop-with-a-Cop tugs at her holiday heartstrings.

“It can be very difficult to watch the kids shop. It’s hard for me not to cry. There’s always one child every year that you just can’t convince to buy anything for himself.

He says his mom needs a winter coat or his family needs food. And we beg him to just buy a little something for himself, and you can tell he feels guilty for wanting something.

“I can’t imagine as a mom not being able to give my kids a Christmas. That’s why I’m especially thankful this resource is available to the children of our community,” she said.

Angie Reihs agrees. Her husband, Jamie is a Boyd County Sheriff’s Department sergeant.

As a teacher, Reihs sees students yearning for warm clothes or a special gift and is quick to quietly refer these youngsters to Shop-with-a-Cop. For her, it’s a spiritual mission.

“My job is a special avenue to get kids the help they need.”

Sgt. Reihs impacts young lives through the yearly initiative. Reihs makes a habit of always shopping with a boy he feels needs a trusting role model and grownup foundation.

One such youngster now considers he a confidante when the going gets tough at his house. If Reihs meets the young man while patrolling, the boy often updates his Facebook status to proudly say he saw his deputy buddy. He hopes to become a lawman when he grows up.

Kaitlin Riffe-Music, 20, was involved with Shop-with-a-Cop most of her young life.

The North Carolinian remembers hand-wrapping each gift with her mom, Waletta Riffe, and big sister, Kara Riffe. Those were simpler days when around 10 needy children participated.

Music’s dad, Rick Riffe is a Boyd County sheriff’s deputy and FOP lodge president. It’s a special year for the family as Music just learned she is expecting.

“As a soon-to-be mom, it puts it all into perspective seeing it this year. I’d want my child to have a good Christmas.”

Music thinks back to a 10-year-old she shopped with once. She only wished for a glass snowman tree topper for her mom.

For Riffe, memories turn to early years, working alongside Chuck and Denise Leadingham, readying for the ball, shopping for door prizes, and hanging tiny sets of ornamental handcuffs on the blue and gold FOP tree at Ashland’s Festival of Trees.

The Leadinghams were killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in 2008. She misses them and dedicated this highly-successful ball to them.

For Kara, all the work preparing for the night comes to fruition when she sees a child’s happiness.

“We know all this elbow grease we put in is for a bigger reason. …This is family-oriented. At this charity event, we get-together – friends and family.”

Organizer and Ashland Police Department Lt. Bill Bare agreed.

“We are brothers and sisters. We’re joined-up tonight because we know kids need us.”

Touched by history

Deputy Riffe was around when the first Ashland child was benefited – a year before Shop-with-a-Cop had a formal name.

It was the second week of December, 19-years-ago now. Darren Wilson was the FOP lodge president and showed-up for a scheduled meeting. He found an anonymous letter sticking out of the lodge mailbox, a concerned citizen alerting them an 82-year-old grandmother was tending to her 4-year-old great-grandson because one of his parents was in prison and the other dead.

Fearing the state would take away her grandbaby, Riffe recalled, the woman wasn’t receiving any economic assistance. She cooked with wood and coal; her linoleum floor was worn, dirt showing through. A plastic curtain draped her front window, hoping to keep out the wintry cold.

Realizing this child wouldn’t have a Christmas, local cops jumped to, buying the woman a robe, perfume and lotions; the boy a blanket. Former Ashland Police Chief Ron McBride ran to Star’s Fashion World to buy the little one a London Fog jacket to warm against the wintertime chill.

They loaded up the Ashland DARE truck on Christmas Eve, piled with presents police officers purchased, and fixings for a holiday supper – elves delivering a makeshift Christmas celebration to the tiny family, Riffe accounted.

“They had nothing, but were somehow still happy. They had each other.”

Knowing there were more children out there needing help, Shop-with-a-Cop was born and continues to grow, Riffe chronicled.

“From this one family, here we are today.”

To make a monetary donation to Shop-with-a-Cop, call Ashland FOP Lodge #3 at (606) 325-8494.