Deputy Donald Gantt with the Perry County Sheriff’s Department will be coming home to Potter Station Softball Field on Saturday for the second annual Cops and Kids day.

“I just like to go back home and take care of home first,” Gantt said. “Potter Station is where I was born and raised, so I like to go back home and spread some love around the neighborhood.”

Last year between 300 and 350 book bags full of school supplies were given out to area children, and he is hoping to have that many kids participate this time around.

This year they have 300 backpacks and they are first-come, first-served, and the child must be present to receive one.

In addition to the free school supplies, there will be games, horse rides, food and more. Law enforcement officers from different agencies will be attending.

Gantt said the purpose of the event is not only to help parents by providing children with supplies but to encourage a relationship between the young people and the officers.

“It’s basically to show the kids that the cops are not there to harm them. We’re there to help them and be their best friends,” Gantt said. “With the way things are going this day in time … it’s a good time to show the relationship between the public and the police. We’re there to show the kids that we’re there to help them.”

Gantt will also have his K-9 officer Jack there along with other K-9 officers. The dogs will have demonstrations of their work and an agility course to go through.

“I think the grown people are going to enjoy it more than the kids,” Gantt said of the police dogs.

Gantt said he is looking forward to the Cops and Kids Day and bringing the community together.

“I am so excited. I have been looking forward to this weekend,” he said. “I am so glad to give back to the community and hopefully some people will see the good in the cops and will want to be like [the officers].”