For 13 years, he has been involved with Toys for Tots of Western North Carolina and/or Cops and Kids of Haywood County. Over the last eight years more effort has focused on the Cops and Kids program because Sohovich saw an increased need to the children in the county. 

Cops will shop with a less fortunate child in Haywood County at Wal-Mart and clothe each child from head to toe. The children also get an opportunity to pick out a Christmas gift while shopping. 

“My role has been to help with additional toys, clothes and badly needed toiletries for the children that Cops and Kids sponsor each year. This year the Cops and Kids program is sponsoring 60 children,” he said. “I love the Cops and Kids program because it helps break the stereotype that our law enforcement officers are ‘the bad guys’ in the eyes of some of these children.”

These children are picked from each school in the county with assistance from social workers and then cross referenced by law enforcement to ensure that children are not on multiple lists around the county. Stop by Ameriprise Financial office at 1200 S. Main Street in Waynesville to donate toys and toiletries or call 828.452.0494 and ask what items are needed for the children that Cops and Kids is sponsoring this year. Checks are payable to NCFOP Lodge 16 and put Cops and Kids in the memo field. Cash donations can be made directly at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department located at 1620 Brown Ave. in Waynesville.