Police ready to go shopping
The Sherburn/ Welcome Police Department will conduct its second annual Shop With a Cop event this year, and officers couldn’t be more excited.
The program allows local law enforcement to develop positive relationships with children who might be struggling with social or economic needs. Funds provided by donors are used by the officers to take the kids shopping for Christmas gifts for their families, as well as enjoy some time getting to know each other.
Officer Nicholas Smith is in charge of the program, and notes that he was glad to see it succeed last year. He is excited to see what happens this year.
“Last year, we supported six families and were able to help them with their holiday needs,” he said. “I work with other departments as a police officer and I just work part time for Sherburn/Welcome. The agency I worked with last time didn’t do it, and I just wanted to get it rolling because it’s a good program and turned out to be a great program last year.”
Going through the event itinerary, Smith shared that it begins and ends with fun all around.
“The kids will be dropped off at the police station, and then we ride over to Fairmont and go shopping at Walmart,” he said. “We divide up the kids so they’re not with their brothers or sisters so they don’t see what they’re getting. That takes about an hour or an hour and a half.
“Then we head back to the station for a pizza party and refreshments before we wrap gifts. Then the parents come and pick them up.”
Smith said that while the kids certainly enjoy the event, the officers get some holiday cheer out of it as well.
“Every officer that did it last year had a great time,” he said. “It’s fun, and it’s kind of an emotional event for us to see just how grateful the parents are and how excited they are that they’re going to be able to have a happier Christmas.”
Though a firm date has yet to be set, Smith said the event is tentatively slated for Nov. 21, depending on what works best for the families.
“That way they don’t have stuff hanging around the house too long tempting them to peek,” he said.
Most of all, Smith said he is grateful for all the support the program receives.
“We appreciate the community’s help,” he said. “It truly does make a difference in the community.”
Smith may be contacted at (952) 292-5898 (cell) or emailed at nsmith@sherburnwelcomepolice.org, for those who would like to suggest a child. In order to qualify for the program, children must be kindergarten through sixth-grade students and must attend Martin County West. They also must have a social or economic need.
Those who would like to donate to the Shop With a Cop program may send contributions to: Sherburn/Welcome Police Department, Attn: Officer Nicholas Smith, 21 E. First St., Sherburn, MN 56171.
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