Each year, members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office enjoy sharing special memories with children of the Tri-State area during the holiday season as part of the Sheriff’s Office Christmas With The Kids Program. This program is funded and supported by the T. Wallis Christmas Foundation with the support of generous members of our community. This year, we are pleased to announce that we have a new “Guardian Angel” on our team. On Monday, November 25, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the ARK Crisis Child Care Center the T. Wallis Christmas Foundation will accept a gift of $25,000.00 from Mr. Mark Andreae, Chief Executive Officer of Clarke Power Services, Inc. Mr. Andreae serves as Chairman of Clarke Fire Protection Products, Inc. and is based out of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Founded in 1964, Clarke Power Services is a commercial vehicle maintenance provider with an outstanding 45+ year track record of delivering value to the transportation and service industries. Clarke offers a comprehensive portfolio of service offerings, or can customize solutions to meet your unique business requirements. Our commitment is to keep your assets working by delivering great service and to keep your equipment lifecycle costs on track.

Locally, Clarke Power Services has an office locate at 751 US Hwy 41 S. in Henderson, Kentucky. It was through this office and Mr. Brian Lunceford, a Customer Support Representative with Clarke Power Services, that the T. Wallis Christmas foundation was able to secure this funding.

“We are humbled at such a large gift,” said Lt. Jim Martin of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. “It never ceases to amaze me when individuals or organizations contact us to be a part of this special mission. Mr. Andreae’s support will definitely impact the lives of many in our area. I am so thankful that Mr. Lunceford gave us this opportunity.”

Once again, the Sheriff’s Office will team up with the ARK Crisis Child Care Center and others around the community for this special event. With the assistance of Mr. Andreae and Clark Power Services, many children in need will have the opportunity to shop with members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office.

During the shopping event, members of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office will help the children pick out needed clothing and household items as well as Christmas toys that may be on their wish list. The children will also receive help picking out an item for their family members in an attempt to show the importance of giving during this holiday season

“We chose to accept Mr. Andreae’s generous donation at the ARK Crisis Child Care Center so he would have the opportunity to meet some of the children he will be impacting and to see first hand, how wonderful the ARK Crisis Child Care Center is in our community,” said Lt. Jim Martin.

The ARK Crisis Child Care Center is located at 415 Lincoln Ave. Evansville, IN 47713 and provides care to approximately 200-250 children per month. The majority of the children served are referrals from social service agencies, medical personnel, legal aid services and the court system. ARK provides emergency crisis care to children six weeks old through six years of age whose families are experiencing temporary life altering challenges. For information about the “Christmas with the Kids” program and the Wallis Christmas Foundation, contact Lt. Jim Martin at (812) 421-6200.