Shelburne and community supports police officer in need

It may be difficult to imagine Shelburne Police Officer Mike Thomas at a loss for words, but it’s true. Last Wednesday night, at a fundraiser at the fire station in front of an adoring community, Thomas was rendered speechless. “I was completely overwhelmed and at a total loss of words,” Thomas shared on the Shelburne Police Department’s Facebook page following the event. At the fire station during the fundraiser he was only able to say, “I’m not sure I have a couple of words in me.”

A six-year police veteran, Thomas was diagnosed with Leukemia in March and soon afterwards his colleagues planned a fundraiser to support him and his entire family through this difficult time. As expected the fundraiser, an all you can eat spaghetti dinner, appealed to hundreds of grateful and appreciative citizens who stopped by to support Thomas and recognize him for his faithful service to Shelburne.

Even two days after the event, Thomas had difficulty putting pen to paper. He wrote on Facebook, “I can’t find the words, so I’m trying to share the experience. This is by far one of the best, if not the best experiences a person could have. In no way to be compared to marriage or childbirth. The outpouring of love, care, compassion, by so many family members, friends, coworkers, people we’ve known for years and others we’ve only known for days. Community coming together as a family for a single cause, a single person, from a smaller family within the community. To be that person is an honor and a true blessing. I can’t thank you enough.”

A fund to support Thomas and defray the costs associated with treatment that insurance won’t cover, was set up at Green Mountain Credit Union. According to the website, of the $5,000 goal $4,215 has already been raised.

If you were unable to attend last week’s fundraiser but would still like to donate, checks made out to Officer Mike Thomas can be mailed directly to the Credit Union at 4 Laurel Hill Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403 or visit gofundme.com/tf9p74 to donate online.