THESE TWO CHARITABLE law enforcement officers, Michigan State Police Trooper Evan Neilson and Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Deputy Samantha Dolehanty, have found yet another way to help their community. The two have each taken oaths to uphold the law, and they spend their workdays looking out for the well being of other people. They are now taking that benevolent mindset to another level.
Dolehanty and Neilson have teamed up to establish drop-off locations for blankets, coats, and other warm, winter essentials in Shiawassee and Genesee counties, with items to be donated to the YWCA and Catholic Charities organizations of both counties. The pair can be seen standing next to one of the red drop-off boxes, which is located in the lobby of the Shiawassee County Jail, 201 E. McArthur St., Corunna.
Dolehanty says she has regularly donated to the YWCA for a number of years, and she has been impressed with how the organization empowers women. Dolehanty is the inspiration behind the idea, and she reports that both the YWCA and Catholic Charities are “ecstatic” to be recipients of her and Neilson’s coat and blanket collection drive.
“Instead of just donating my kids’ old toys and clothes, I wanted to do something bigger,” shared Dolehanty.
The lobby of the jail is open 24-hours a day, so items can be dropped off anytime until Friday, Nov. 24, except on Wednesdays, which is visiting day at the jail. In addition to the drop box at the jail, Neilson and Dolehanty also have placed boxes at the MSP Flint post, and at Serendipity Wellness Spa locations in Linden and Frankenmuth.
(Independent Photo/Graham Sturgeon)
