[StBernard] COPS for Christmas program helps Chalmette family with presents and dinner

[Westley Annis]

COPS for Christmas program helps Chalmette family with presents and dinner
Print NOLA Community By NOLA Community 
on December 24, 2013 at 7:30 AM, updated December 24, 2013 at 7:47 AM

Amanda and Dustin Fodness of Chalmette said things weren't going well for
their family lately, including having vehicle problems. Christmas was
looking bleak for the children, Benjamin, 7, and Nola, who is 3.

But through a referral from a school, a group of St. Bernard Parish
Sheriff's Office deputies heard about the family's plight and helped
brighten the holiday.

Officers from the Corrections Division and the Communications Division, who
last year formed a group called COPS for Christmas - standing for Caring
Officers Provide Smiles for Christmas - donated money and got other help to
provide the family presents and Christmas dinner.

Deputies delivered the items the night of Dec. 23. The two children each
received a bicycle and other gifts, as well as a visit from Santa Claus.

"This is so nice,'' Amanda Fodness said of the help. "We couldn't have had a
real Christmas without it.''

The information in this article and pictures were provided by the St.
Bernard Sheriff's Office Director of Public Information Steve Cannizaro.