KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Department Donates $19,000 to Two Local Children and Youth Organizations

Dale Phipps, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

http://KingsportTN.gov/City-Services/Police-Department • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

From September 1 through December 31, 2022, K.P.D. conducted its 2nd Annual “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign for charity. During those four months, K.P.D. allowed its employees the option of making a monthly monetary donation in exchange for the privilege of either growing and maintaining a neatly groomed beard, wearing blue jeans on Fridays, or wearing a solid-color ribbon in one of the traditionally associated cause awareness colors.

K.P.D. generated a grand total of $19,000 with its campaign. $13,000 of this was raised in-house, while the remaining funds were donated by community partners, Holston Medical Group ($5,000) and the Kingsport Area Safety Council ($1,000). The monies raised were divided evenly and donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls, Inc. of Kingsport, with each organization receiving a check for $9,500.

“Today, more than ever, we see how organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls Inc. of Kingsport are making a difference in the lives of young people in our community. By providing a safe environment and positive programs in academics, athletics, leadership, life-skills, and character-development, they are positively impacting our next generation of citizens and directing them down the path toward success,” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps. “It is imperative that organizations that are dedicated to making investments into children’s lives have the proper funding in order to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate than others. We want to express our sincere appreciation to all employees, citizens, and our community partners for their generous support toward this campaign.”

As previously released:

Beginning Thursday, September 1, 2022, area citizens may start noticing some stubble on the faces of some of Kingsport’s Police Officers. K.P.D. is launching its 2nd Annual “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.

While Kingsport Police Department policies typically require employees to maintain a traditional conservative appearance, this Fall, K.P.D. will temporarily relax these standards and allow employees to select one of the following options:

· Employees may choose to grow and maintain a neatly-groomed beard.

· Employees may choose to wear blue jeans on Fridays (non-uniformed personnel only).

· Employees may choose to wear a solid-color ribbon in one of the traditionally associated cause awareness colors.

Last year’s campaign started off as “No-Shave November” and eventually expanded to “No-Shave November & December;” however, the “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign this year will incorporate the four months of September, October, November, and December. Last year’s campaign successfully raised $12,250, all of which was donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

All K.P.D. employees are being encouraged to participate. In order to take part in this year’s campaign, employees are asked to make a $40 donation to the K.P.D. Employee Fund for each month of the campaign. If an employee wishes to participate in all four months, their donation would be $160. As wearing blue jeans on Friday only involves one day per week, that option only requires a $25 donation per month or $100 for all four months.

Arrangements have also been made where citizens, businesses, and other organizations can join K.P.D.’s campaign by becoming a community partner sponsor. The following sponsorship tiers are available:

· Diamond Level Sponsor $5,000

· Platinum Level Sponsor $2,500

· Gold Level Sponsor $1,000

· Silver Level Sponsor $500

· Bronze Level Sponsor $250

· Blue Level Sponsor (Individual Officer Matching) $160

K.P.D. is also extremely pleased to announce that Holston Medical Group (HMG) has already committed to be a Diamond Level Sponsor. This is the second year that HMG has pledged $5,000 to this campaign. The Kingsport Area Safety Council (KASC) has committed to be a Gold Level Sponsor, pledging $1,000 toward the campaign. We anticipate that other community partners will join us in our fund-raising efforts throughout the campaign.

While certainly not required, in addition to their own participation, all K.P.D. employees are being challenged to obtain a Blue Level Sponsorship from a friend or family member to match their own individual donation.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor may contact the K.P.D. Professional Standards Unit at 423-229-9433.

Cash donations must be hand-delivered. Donations by check may either be hand-delivered or mailed. Checks should be written to “K.P.D. Employee Fund” with “No-Shave Fallvember” written in the memo line on the bottom left of the check.

Mailed checks must be received by December 31st and should be sent to:

K.P.D. Employee Fund

No-Shave Fallvember Campaign

200 Shelby Street

Kingsport, TN 37660

All monies raised through K.P.D.’s “No-Shave Fallvember” campaign will be donated to local children’s charities and non-profits. This year, upon completion of the campaign, all funds raised will be evenly distributed between the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls Inc.

“Today, more than ever, we see how organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport and Girls Inc. are making a difference in the lives of young people in our community. By providing a safe environment and positive programs in academics, athletics, leadership, life-skills, and character-development, they are positively impacting our next generation of citizens and directing them down the path toward success,” said Chief of Police Dale Phipps. “I genuinely hope that each of you consider making a contribution to this worthy cause. It is imperative that organizations that are dedicated to making investments into children’s lives have the proper funding in order to meet the needs of those who are less fortunate than others. We want to express our sincere appreciation to all employees, citizens, and our community partners for their generous support toward this campaign.”

Effective January 1, 2023, K.P.D. employees will return to the traditional conservative appearance standards that citizens have come to expect.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-343-9749 (FAX)

ThomasMPatton