Police officers served ice cream to customers at Social Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop on Tuesday, Aug. 6, as part of the second annual Cones With Cops. Ten percent of any food sales at Social on Tuesday will go to Project Ebenezer, an organization which supports the mental health of local first responders. Shown toward the beginning of the event Tuesday were, from left, Social co-owner Shawn Bianchini holding Roux Bianchini; Social employee Avery Sleeth; Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Doug Light; Winona Lake Police Officer Phil Hawks; KCSO Deputy Shaun Mudd; Social co-owner Carrie Bianchini; KCSO Deputy Joel Popenfoose; Social employee Samantha Bloomfield; and WLPD Chief Joe Hawn.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Those scooping ice cream behind the counter at Social Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop in Winona Lake this afternoon and evening, Aug. 6, are wearing their work uniforms, as well as badges.

Police officers are serving ice cream at the shop at 904 Park Ave. until 6 p.m. as part of Cones With Cops.

Ten percent of proceeds from all food sales at Social until its closure today at 9 p.m. are going to Project Ebenezer, an organization founded by a Warsaw Police Department employee to support the mental health of first responders. It’s the second year for the event.

Carrie Bianchini said she and her husband, Shawn Bianchini, both the owners of Social, came up with the idea last year and talked with Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn about it.

“We did it last year and loved it and the community loved it and so we did it again this year,” she said.

“We love doing fun events. We love anything community-oriented,” Carrie said, adding that the area has “an awesome police force.”

“It’s fun to see them in a capacity like this is not their strength, but they love to serve and they have a great time doing it and then I think the community really enjoys getting to experience them in a little bit of a different way too,” she said.

Carrie added people may come next year to Cones With Cops if they can’t this year.

Hawn said the event was “just fun” for him and fellow officers. WLPD was joined by several members of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office at the start of the event, and Hawn mentioned the Warsaw Police Department was to come later on.

“They love doing it,” he said of the officers.

Hawn said it was “obviously great for the public to see the officers in here.”

“Kids love to see the officers in here and just also it’s a great public relations event for officers,” he said.

He added the event is also good for bonding between the different police departments.

“Just being able to have that camaraderie between the agencies as well is really important,” said Hawn.