Thursday, October 1, 2026
What began as a simple snack basket for police officers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a nationwide nonprofit with a mission of supporting first responders and strengthening ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
That mission was on display in Seaford on July 18, when Project Thank A Cop hosted a lemonade stand fundraiser outside Uniquely Yours Boutique, drawing residents together to raise money for programs that benefit police officers, first responders and their families.
The event, hosted by the nonprofit with support from State Sen. Steve Rhoads and his wife, Linda, owner of Uniquely Yours, gave neighbors an opportunity to meet officers, make donations and learn more about the organization's work.
For Project Thank A Cop co-founder Andy Fox, the fundraiser reflects the organization's belief that meaningful connections often begin with simple acts of kindness.
"We wanted to do something social that would bring kids in touch with police officers," Fox said. "It was really started as a way to get the community closer through this fundraising event."
Fox and his wife, Maegan, founded Project Thank A Cop in 2020 after seeing police officers face growing hostility during the pandemic and nationwide protests. The couple learned that some officers responding to demonstrations struggled to find places where they could safely stop for food or even take a break.
Maegan Fox assembled a basket filled with snacks, drinks and other refreshments and delivered it to a police precinct in Brooklyn. After sharing the gesture on social media, donations poured in.
"It took off so fast that we realized that with all of the monetary donations and the food donations, we actually needed to open up a 501(c)(3) just to account for the amount of money that was coming in," Fox said.
Today, the organization operates from an office in Merrick, has a social media following approaching 20,000 people and assists law enforcement agencies and first responders across the country.
The lemonade stand has evolved along with the organization. What started at the Fox family's Wantagh home now rotates among volunteer hosts, who offer their homes or businesses as gathering places where children can meet officers, explore police vehicles and K-9 units and thank them for their service.
The Seaford event was cut short by rain, but roughly 30 people attended during its first hour and a half.
Money raised helps cover the nonprofit's operating expenses, with most proceeds supporting programs that assist officers and first responders facing personal hardships. Fox said the organization is currently helping the family of an officer whose infant is hospitalized by providing meals for medical staff and taking the parents out to dinner during the child's extended stay.
Funds also support Project Thank A Cop's annual Shop With a Cop program, which allows as many as 250 children facing financial, medical or personal hardships to shop for holiday gifts alongside police officers. After purchasing gifts for themselves, each child also selects toys that are later donated to children spending the holidays in local hospitals.
Among the organization's proudest moments, Fox recalled helping the family of slain New York City Police Department Officer Jonathan Diller after his death in 2024. Project Thank A Cop collected monetary donations and supplies, ultimately helping coordinate thousands of dollars in support for Diller's widow and young son.
He also remembers a smaller moment that reinforced the group's mission.
During one Shop With a Cop event, a child purchased a Bluey toy to be donated to a hospital. Weeks later, Fox learned that the toy had been given to the child of one of his son's friends during a hospital stay.
"They said it changed the whole dynamic of his hospital stay," Fox recalled.
Fox believes those moments demonstrate that the organization's work extends beyond supporting police officers.
"What keeps us motivated is the reactions from the officers and the first responders," he said. "We've seen officers break down and cry because we've delivered a meal after something tragic. We've also seen kids who were afraid to say hello to an officer at the beginning of the day laughing and smiling with them by the end. When people tell us, 'You don't know how much I needed that,' it reminds us that what we're doing is working."
Rhoads, who has supported Project Thank A Cop since its inception, praised the organization's efforts and the community members who participated in the fundraiser.
"The incredible community support for this event speaks volumes about the respect and gratitude our residents have for our local law enforcement officers," he said. "By coming together in support of Project Thank A Cop, we're sending a clear message that we appreciate the sacrifices our officers and their families make every day."
