Laying down the law of shopping: Shop with a Cop brings smiles to children, police - Mohave Valley News
BULLHEAD CITY — Christmas arrived a little early for more than 100 local children, chosen to take part in Saturday's Shop with a Cop program that provides a little extra joy to ring in the holiday season.
"This was the 26th year of our annual Shop with a Cop program," said Emily Fromelt, public information officer for the Bullhead City Police Department. "Approximately 115 underprivileged children shared the spirit of Christmas with law enforcement personnel. The program gives kids a positive experience with police and it also helps make their Christmas a little brighter."
The children are chosen through the local school system to take part in the program, identified by those who see them on a daily basis and understand their needs and what may or may not be available.
Each child receives a $100 Walmart gift card to spend as they would like, then gets personal shoppers — area law enforcement personnel, other first responders and volunteers — to escort them on their shopping spree at the Bullhead City Walmart store. Children are free to buy toys, clothing, shoes — whatever they choose — and sometimes the choices are surprising.
"Many kids buy gifts for their family members and sometimes even food for their family," Fromelt said.
It's a day that starts early, with breakfast provided to the children and first responders by the Bullhead City Elks Lodge.
"Every year for at least the past 12 years ... the Bullhead City Elks have hosted the beginning of the day," said local Elks member Terri Frear. "A few members of the Elks will have prepared breakfast burritos for all, including 50 or so city police, county sheriff and park ranger personnel, while giving the children an experience they will never forget."
After the breakfast, the children were the special guests in a parade of patrol vehicles — complete with lights and an occasional siren or two — to Walmart, where they were greeted by store employees and other volunteers who helped make the experience extra special.
A number of local community members, organizations and businesses provided other goodies. One such group, the Bullhead City Senior Campus' knit and crochet group, provided more than 100 handmade Santa hats for the children in an effort months in the making, providing them not only a festive accessory for the occasion but a little warmth for the cooler months ahead.
While the program is in the bright spotlight one day each year, organizers work nearly year-round in the shadows to make it possible, collecting donations, conducting fundraising events and working out the logistics to make it possible.
It's a labor of love, but one that produces plenty of smiles when it comes to fruition on the first Saturday of December each year.
And to share a little secret, the smiles aren't just on the faces children. There are plenty of them on the law enforcement personnel as well.
"Its a really heartwarming morning," Fromelt said.
Officer Rushaun Walter, the president of the Shop with a Cop committee, echoed that sentiment.
"Today was a beautiful day," he said. "We had a lot of smiles, we had about a hundred kids turn out today. A lot of gifts were given. I think overall we'll have a beautiful Christmas in Bullhead City."
source: https://mohavedailynews.com/news/136165/laying-down-the-law-of-shopping-shop-with-a-cop-brings-smiles-to-children-police/
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