By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH, Ind. – A Wabash County youth will begin a quest this week to raise money for the local Shop With a Cop program.
Brenton Yarger will begin standing in front of Walmart raising funds for the Christmas program that helps underprivileged children have a good holiday.
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 29, Brenton will be outside Walmart on 10 days, raising funds and collecting aluminum cans which he recycles and puts the proceeds toward his fundraising efforts.
“He wanted to add more days this year,” Brenton’s grandmother, Brenda Jackson noted.
A Northfield eighth grader, Brenton will be raising funds from 11-3 p.m. Oct. 29-30, Nov. 5-6, Nov. 12-13, Nov. 20 and Nov. 26-27. He will be there from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 18.
Over the past six years, Brenton has raised more than $18,500 for Shop With a Cop. Last year he raised $5,328.15. That, in turn, helped him set his goal this year of $5,400.
“I always want to raise $100 more” than the previous year, he said.
But, he readily admits, he’s a little nervous this year.
“I’m bigger now,” he said, adding that he isn’t going to wear the police uniform he has donned over the years.
The reason? He’s grown about eight inches over the past year, and the uniform doesn’t fit him.
When Mayor Scott Long and the Wabash Fraternal Order of Police chapter learned of his dilemma, they moved into action to guarantee Brenton will have a uniform top to wear again this year.
What drives Brenton to stand outside, rain or shine, to raise funds?
“I’m interested in helping with charity, I guess,” he said. “It makes me feel good to help kids who don’t get Christmas, or people who don’t get anything at all. It’s kind of nice to help other people when you’ve got so much and you want to help others.”
Brenton, 13, is unsure how much longer he’ll be standing outside to raise funds.
“Maybe a few more years,” he said. “Then I’ll just get a job.”
Brenton has several ways he raises funds for his cause. In addition to standing outside and recycling cans, he also sends letters to family and friends asking for donations, and he also gives half the money he earns from auctioning his 4-H poultry project to the cause.
Anyone interested in donating aluminum cans may bring them to Walmart when Brenton is there, or they can call 260-571-5668 to make arrangements for pickup.
Brenton thanks everyone who has helped him over the years, especially Walmart for allowing him to stand outside its entrance.
“I appreciate it very much,” he said. “It increases the money I get for Shop With a Cop. The more money I get, the more the kids get to be helped. I also want to thank the people that donate.”