As people are planning their events for next week, we're frequently asked for suggestions about how individuals can participate, show their support or do something meaningful for these men and women. Here is a recap of some of the best ideas we've seen folks do in previous years, along with projects our amazing volunteers have done to say "thank you". We hope you'll find some wonderful inspiration in this post, and remember, these efforts to show appreciation can be done simply, by yourself, or by gathering a group of neighbors, students or coworkers together for a group project.
Whatever you do, we encourage you to reach out during the week of September 12th - 17th and share the love with our law enforcement officers everywhere! Please remember that it is always best to contact any agency in advance to ask them when would be a suitable time to stop by or arrange a meal delivery. So many of our departments are so busy that they are not always in the office or would have a chance to meet with you, and on weekends town buildings or headquarters may be closed as officers are out on the road. Please always call ahead of time to find out what is best.
Whatever you do, we encourage you to reach out during the week of September 12th - 17th and share the love with our law enforcement officers everywhere! Please remember that it is always best to contact any agency in advance to ask them when would be a suitable time to stop by or arrange a meal delivery. So many of our departments are so busy that they are not always in the office or would have a chance to meet with you, and on weekends town buildings or headquarters may be closed as officers are out on the road. Please always call ahead of time to find out what is best.
* IDEAS FOR THANK A POLICE OFFICER DAY *
• Take cards into work and have your co-workers help to fill them with words of inspiration and appreciation; send to officers or coordinate a lunch delivery that week
• Contact a radio or TV station to give them information on what this date is about, and ask them to mention it on air as a community bulletin
• September is still hot weather, and delivery of a couple of cases of Gatorade, waters or energy drinks is always appreciated
• Pick up the tab for an officer's coffee or meal when you have the opportunity - doing so anonymously is a fun gesture
• Assemble a snack station at a department that morning, offering a variety of fruit, energy drinks, Gatorade, etc., which can be enjoyed by the entire staff throughout the day
• Paint up a bunch of rocks! Young artists have left "thin blue line" stones all over Delmarva in previous years, and we've been told they brought lots of smiles
• Set up a jumbo card at your business for folks to add uplifting messages of support, then deliver to a department with snacks during the week of 9/12 - 9/17
• Help your children make cards or write letters to officers as a “gratitude project” - deliver with balloons & protein bars
• Organize a classroom letter writing project to make cards and fill them with uplifting messages for law enforcement officers
• Organize your office & coworkers to have a platter of subs or sandwich platter delivered to the local sheriff's office
• See this board on Pinterest with loads of fun ways to celebrate
• Download our images created for individual agencies across the Delmarva area (they make great cards or goody bag tags)
• Deliver a basket of fresh fruit to any department to be enjoyed by the entire staff throughout the day
• Send over pizza for the night shift at a local station (please check with them first for a suitable time to accept such a delivery)
• Write encouraging notes of support to LEO's and deliver with a plate of cookies
• Light up our towns and cities by changing your porch light to a blue bulb
• Involve your family in “adopting” a local police station. Stop by one day with homemade cookies and a card (please contact someone at the department ahead of time)
• Post a message of appreciation at your business
• Become a neighborhood organizer for a "thoughtfulness campaign" - collect cards and donations for a delivery of lunch or dinner
• Visit the Facebook page for the Whole Truth Project, founder of this national observance
• Tell us about your local hero such as a neighbor or family member who has served. Share a photo with us and we will post it during the week of September 12th - 17th.
• Show your support! Tie a ribbon around tree in your front yard or place a blue bow on your mailbox, fence or doorway to remind LEO we care
• Host a first responder appreciation event at your church
• Become a neighborhood organizer for a "thoughtfulness campaign" - collect cards and donations for a delivery of lunch or dinner
• Visit the Facebook page for the Whole Truth Project, founder of this national observance
• Tell us about your local hero such as a neighbor or family member who has served. Share a photo with us and we will post it during the week of September 12th - 17th.
• Show your support! Tie a ribbon around tree in your front yard or place a blue bow on your mailbox, fence or doorway to remind LEO we care
• Host a first responder appreciation event at your church
• Bring a paper scroll to your next event and ask people to fill it with messages of support
• Tell your friends and family what "Thank A Police Officer Day" is about and invite them to join you in honoring local officers
• Display an encouraging message on outdoor signs (be sure and tag us so we can share on our page!)
• Reach out to your mayor or town leaders and ask them to issue a proclamation honoring police in your town or city
• Spread some cheer by treating a local agency to fresh bagels, doughnuts and coffee one morning
• Print out our images and post them at your business and in storefront windows - contact us at delmarvablue@gmail.com for hi-resolution graphics
• Remember, it isn't necessary to only visit a department ON September 17th - anytime during the week is often good but we always encourage you to contact them ahead of time
• Involve the whole family in adopting your local police station - create a poster with the kids and deliver with balloons and treats
• Write a letter to the local newspaper inviting area residents to join you in hosting a group project
• Don't forget to take photos of your projects and visits, tag us in your posts on social media or post in our event!
• For photos, see our albums on Facebook: Ideas 2016 and Ideas 2021
I hope this list of suggestions offers you some inspiration for next week's observance. Anyone wishing to make a difference this month by saying “thank you” to our LEO'S can be a part of this - there is no specific dollar amount needed to show appreciation for those who serve - all that is necessary is the goal of recognizing officers for what they do each day in our towns and cities.
• Tell your friends and family what "Thank A Police Officer Day" is about and invite them to join you in honoring local officers
• Display an encouraging message on outdoor signs (be sure and tag us so we can share on our page!)
• Reach out to your mayor or town leaders and ask them to issue a proclamation honoring police in your town or city
• Spread some cheer by treating a local agency to fresh bagels, doughnuts and coffee one morning
• Print out our images and post them at your business and in storefront windows - contact us at delmarvablue@gmail.com for hi-resolution graphics
• Remember, it isn't necessary to only visit a department ON September 17th - anytime during the week is often good but we always encourage you to contact them ahead of time
• Involve the whole family in adopting your local police station - create a poster with the kids and deliver with balloons and treats
• Write a letter to the local newspaper inviting area residents to join you in hosting a group project
• Don't forget to take photos of your projects and visits, tag us in your posts on social media or post in our event!
• For photos, see our albums on Facebook: Ideas 2016 and Ideas 2021
I hope this list of suggestions offers you some inspiration for next week's observance. Anyone wishing to make a difference this month by saying “thank you” to our LEO'S can be a part of this - there is no specific dollar amount needed to show appreciation for those who serve - all that is necessary is the goal of recognizing officers for what they do each day in our towns and cities.
