They’re gifts from the heart

New Hampton Police Chief Mike Anderson was almost at a loss of words on Friday morning as he held the gifts the children of Great Plays Daycare had made for area law enforcement officers.“It’s a darn nice gesture,” Anderson said, “and it means a lot to us to know that people care.”Let’s face it, it’s been a trying time for those who wear badges.After police shootings in both Louisiana and Minnesota stirred up controversy, a gunman killed five police officers on duty at a protest in Dallas on July 7.That gave Great Plays Daycare board member Lacey Carolan an idea — let’s thank the men and women who protect and serve.And Great Plays teachers and kids who range from ages 6 months to 10 — ran with it.“There’s so much evil in the world, and we wanted our policemen and our deputies know that we appreciate everything they do for us and our families,” Great Plays Director Kim Hubka said.The staff filled “snack bags” while the children made handprints on a note that read, “A big high five to all the police officers who keep us safe!!!”On the bottom of each note, they stamped a heart next to a parting note that read, “We love you.”The babies who attend Great Plays left their footprints on their notes.All told, the children and staff presented more than 25 bags to Anderson, who will distribute them to his police officers and the deputies, dispatchers and deputies at the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office.“We understand that they might feel all alone, and that’s why we did this,” Hubka said. “We want our kids to know that the police are here for us and this was a good way to say thank you for protecting us.”