Syracuse Police Patrolman Joe Keene, left, and Stephanie Overbey, associate director for the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, hold up several of the pieces of art created by kids to say thanks to local police officers. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

SYRACUSE — About 30 personalized drawings, handprints, notes and paper police officers were delivered to Syracuse Police Department Tuesday afternoon by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

The foundation hosted a “Little Philanthropist Art Booth” during the Oakwood Art Festival Saturday, Aug. 27. At this booth youngsters could create pieces of art to give to local police officers.

The artists could place a handprint on paper that stated “We Love Police Officers, Hands down … you’re the best,” or cut out and color a paper police officer. They could also create their own pieces of art with paper provided. Many of the participants wrote notes to the officers.

Such writings included:

“Thank you for portecting our town your a good police officer you do hardwork”

“Thank you for parterting our town and thank you for partering us I appreciat what you do for us”

“Thank you for portecting our comity we thank you”

Stephanie Overbey, associate director for the foundation, stated approximately 30 pieces of art were created from budding artists between the ages of 1 and 10. “Most of the kids were 5-8 years old,” she said.

Kathy Goodyear, police department secretary and matron, and Patrolman Joe Keene were present when the art work was delivered and enjoyed looking at the creations and notes. The items will be shared with the rest of the officers on the department.