MPD Ready for Christmas Parade

Fri, 12/02/2011 - 6:00am — Diane Dyer

Police Chief Billy Phelps of the Morgantown Police Department traveled to Louisville this week to bring some individuals back to Morgantown. However instead of the usual sort of passenger Phelps would carry he brought back over 2,000 stuffed animals to give away at Saturday’s Christmas parade.

Said Phelps, “We partner the with Kosaire Charities to get the animals. “We’ve worked with them the last couple of years.”

According to Phelps the partnership developed when Pamida closed their doors in Morgantown. The Police Department had worked with the store on the Shop With A Cop program. “Pamida was great to us, and when they closed we couldn’t find anyone to do that program with.” He explained that he had referred some donations to the hospital and they were quick to help when he needed a new Christmas benefit for children.

“They don’t charge us a thing for all this, and this year they gave us some basketballs that we’ll be giving out too,” said Phelps. The Chief said that at some point he is going to stop the parade to give away the basketballs. “We’ll just stop the parade, and start throwing basketballs everywhere,” said Phelps.