CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – On Dec. 17, Clarksville Police Officers got together with Brandy Marik, Barkers Mill Elementary School’s School Counselor, to take Christmas gifts and groceries to a Clarksville family in need, the Hernandez family.
The same agencies responsible for the Shop with a Cop event were responsible for helping the Hernandez family. Those agencies are the Fraternal Order of Police, the Police Union, the Clarksville Police Academy Alumni (CPAA), APSU, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), and the CPD.
“I initially came across the Hernandez family when we were submitting names for families that could benefit from help during this Christmas season,” Marik said. “After contacting Mr. Hernandez, we learned about the situation that they are currently in and began to realize that they would need more help than a Christmas meal or a few gifts would provide.”
Ricardo Hernandez is a military veteran of 14 years. Within the last year he medically retired due to combat related injuries.
His wife, Anna Hernandez, is currently a student at Austin Peay State University, hoping to work in the field of dental hygiene. Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez have three children: Ricardo, Destiny, and Desiree.
Mr. Hernandez described the process of becoming medically retired as an overwhelming event. He is currently unable to work and has had difficulty finding services for military veterans that might assist him in getting back on his feet financially.
The struggles that the Hernandez family currently face include paying their mortgage and other bills, and their “family” vehicle has recently been re-possessed. They are also struggling to provide food for their three children.
When we spoke with the Hernandez family, they said that it has been difficult letting go of all of the nice-ities that come with having a steady income, however, they believe that this experience is bringing them closer together as a family.
Special thanks to the FOP, the Police Union, the CPAA, CMCSS, and APSU for their help.