By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH, Ind. – Brenton’s back!
Over the past eight years, Brenton Yarger, like many things, has changed.
He’s gone from a small child into a soon-to-be 16-year-old young man who stands about 6-feet-tall (and still growing).
But one thing that hasn’t changed is his desire to help the children in the community have a very, merry Christmas. Once againthis year, Brenton, with the help of his grandparents Dave and Brenda Jackson, will be collecting funds outside of Walmart for the local Shop With a Cop program.
In his first seven years, Brenton has collected more than $40,000 for the program. This year, he hopes to raise at least $10,000.
“I didn’t think it would go on like this when he started,” his grandmother said. “That first year, when he started talking about $1,000, I was like, no, let’s go for $500.”
His first year, he raised $2,006.01.
““We thought, ‘OK, he did it. We’re done,’” his grandmother continues. “Every year he’s ready to go back. Every year I ask him are you sure you want to do this, and every year he gives me his look.”
There’s one thing that spurs Brenton to keep coming back every year.
“It’s the kids,” he says without hesitation. “The kids, I like to see them happy at Christmas time. No one wants a sad Christmas.”
Brenton has spent one weekend collecting so far this year, and is quickly on the way to meeting this year’s goal.
He will return to Walmart on Nov. 18, 24-25, Dec. 1-2 and 8-9. In addition to his time at Walmart, Brenton is also collecting cans and scrap metal which can be turned in for cash. Anyone with cans or scrap metal may bring them to Walmart on the days he is there, or they may call 260-571-5668 for pick up.
This year, Brenton’s doing something a little extra for those who donate.
“We are going to take pictures (with the donors) with their permission, of course,” he said. “Mostly with the kids who put money in the bucket. And people we know.”
Grandma adds, “A lot of people who stop are talking about how little he was when he began.”
In the early years, Brenton donned a small policeman’s uniform to raise money. That continued until a few years ago when, for his safety, local police officials asked him to not wear it without an officer being present. As not to take time away from the off-duty officers’ time with their family, Brenton opted to wear a vest with “Shop With a Cop” on it, as well as a photo of him in uniform.
“It is not a safe environment out there for me to wear that unless I have a police officer standing out there with me, so I will be wearing a vest,” he said. “But I’m the same old Brenton.”
“He’s just eight years older,” grandma adds.
Brenton realizes that the success he’s had isn’t due entirely to himself. He understands that many have helped him along the way, and he is very appreciative of that support.
“I want to say thank you to all the police departments, the law enforcement officers, the community, my grandma, my grandpa and my Aunt Heather for supporting me through all these eight years.”
Mrs. Jackson said she and Brenton often discuss the program’s success.
“One thing we talk a lot about, Brenton and I, is that like I said we are so proud of what he’s doing and so proud of him in general, but it’s a community wide effort,” she said. “It’s all the people who contribute to him. It’s the people from Scotty’s who do the benefit ride. It’s the Eagles (which has an annual Shop With a Cop fundraiser).”
And Brenton quickly adds, “And a special thank you to the Elks for all the donations over the years. They’ve been with me since day one.”
Some people are skeptical, Mrs. Jackson notes.
“Every year we get several people ‘What’s Brenton get out of this?’” she said. “What he gets out of it is watching the other kids, knowing he’s helping them. It gives him a sense of accomplishment. That’s what he enjoys, and we’re proud of him for that.
Brenton’s always been goal oriented. He sets these goals and he pushes to get them. Not only with Shop With a Cop, but with a lot of things in his life. That’s the one thing he gets out of it is he meets his goals.
“Another thing he gets is he gets to hang out with his police buddies.”
Youngsters involved with the Shop With a Cop program will go shopping at Walmart on Dec. 15.
“We really, really would love the community to come out and watch this happen,” Brenton said. “It’s a life changing event and I know the community would like to see it. It will put a big smile on their faces.”