PCPD CHARITY EFFORT PROVIDES CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO THE NEEDY.
Plant City Police Department (PCPD) sworn officers can sport a beard throughout the year—but there’s a cost. Officers pay a monthly donation to wear facial hair. Not to be outdone, sworn female officers can also pay a monthly donation to wear nail colors and designs. Officers dubbed the effort “Back the Beard.”
In 2024, these officers raised $7,650. With the money, PCPD provides holiday gifts to children, seniors, and animal rescues. To enhance the fund, Plant City Residents Andy and Patti Storch donated 14 kids’ bikes, and 30 blankets for seniors. “We love giving to others, especially children…it hits everything we want to do at this time of the year,” Andy commented.
In terms of seniors in Plant City, all 32 Heritage Assisted Living Facility residents got gifts through the fund, as well as games and puzzles all the residents can use. The fund will also give 40 families toys, clothes, and shoes for their children for Christmas. Some of the children were identified through a local school. Others were found through officers engaging with the community on service calls.
Last week, Detective and Mrs. Cowart joined other PCPD officers and staff, and teachers from Advantage Academy to shop for gifts. “I grew up here in Plant City,” he said. “I have a good connection with a lot of the people in the city. We come across a lot of kids, and you can tell those that are in need of things. Being a part of something like this—it feels good to give back to kids who need a good Christmas. There is a little bit of connection between me and them.”
After responding to a few calls for service at a residence in his patrol zone, Officer Wise began mentoring two boys in the foster system. Throughout the year, he has routinely checked on them and encouraged them to behave at home and school. Recently, one of the children was devastated when he found out he wouldn’t be able to reunify with his biological parents. Back the Beard got their wish lists and is giving Christmas gifts to both boys.
“We are doing this because we enjoy giving back to the kids,” Kindell Gilmore said. “The kids want to have a merry Christmas, and have things they can use—the less fortunate kids.”
While people were still out of power after Hurricane Milton, Officer Durrance and Sergeant Tester responded to a call when several family members—including an 11-year-old, and a two-year-old—were burned. The family had been cooking on a propane grill, but the propane tank had a leak that caused it to explode and start a fire. The family is recovering, and through Back the Beard, PCPD sponsored both children’s wish lists to help the family.
“We know we are helping not only our kids, but we are also taking stress off of our parents,” Kaylea Layton, Advantage Academy of Hillsborough Assistant Principal of Student Services said. “When we sent out the forms to the parents letting them know their student was selected, I got many emails back saying things like, ‘You don’t know how much of a blessing this is. You are really helping me out. I can’t believe you are doing this. Thank you so much.’”
It is no surprise that the officers typically go above and beyond in service to others by spending their own money on gifts in addition to the Back the Beard funds.
