OXFORD, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard recently announced the founding of a new Oxford High School Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit students who were in the Oxford School District during the attack in November 2021.
“It is inspiring to see after a tragedy where we have seen the worst in humanity, to watch the rise of the best in humanity that seeks out ways to uplift and support people in these terrible moments,” Bouchard said during a news conference at the Sheriff’s Office in Pontiac, “I am proud of our team, and all who contributed to this effort to brighten not just the holiday, but the future for a number of families.”
Any student enrolled in the Oxford School District on Nov. 30 of last year is eligible to apply for a scholarship to attend Oakland Community College, provided they also graduate from Oxford High School. This April, the initial five scholarships will be awarded at the Oxford High School awards ceremony. So far, more than $24,000 has been raised through the sale of Oxford Strong pins to support the scholarship program.
The scholarship to attend Oakland Community College was made possible by the Oakland County Deputy Sheriff’s Association/ Family Benevolent Fund, according to Bouchard. He also acknowledged how the fund has also helped to provide for others in the form of unexpected medical bills, home and vehicle repairs, funeral costs, mortgage payments, to name a few.
“I really appreciate everybody that has supported us in this endeavor, and just supporting the Family Benevolent Fund,” Oakland County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (OCDSA) Family Benevolent Fund President and detective Rich Knodel said, “The Oxford Scholarship Program, we decided we wanted to do something that was going to be long lasting for the community. We found out about OCC’s scholarship program and what really affected us was that we could touch the lives of kids that were even in kindergarten 12 – 13 years later and helping them really even work through some of the things that they’re working through, due to their families being involved in that tragedy.”
Bouchard also announced the launch of a second program, The Christmas Family Celebration, in which school resource deputies and CARE House of Oakland County identified families in the community to adopt and help provide for during the holidays. The 12 local families – including a family displaced from their home in Ukraine – will receive gift cards for a holiday meal, gas cards, clothing, household goods, and gifts after presenting a wishlist.
“I just want to say how proud I am as Sheriff, of the men and women not only of the Benevolent Fund but everybody, in so many ways it’s been a tough couple years for everybody across the country, but especially tough in our community,” Sheriff Bouchard said, “Not just COVID but then followed with Oxford. The men and women you see here – and the folks you don’t see here, whether in jail or in dispatch or anywhere in our agency – have really stepped up and made a difference in so many lives.”
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