‘Tis the season for giving, and what better way to display this mindset than through the giving to the less fortunate. The Shop With a Cop program first started when police departments were looking for an additional way to help the underprivileged without doing anything overdone like “Breakfast with Santa,” or cookie decorating with elves. The Shop with a Cop program takes a different approach on making the holiday season truly one for giving. Since it was first introduced to Charles County, the program has helped more than one-hundred families.
The Shop with a Cop program is one that allows underprivileged children the chance to complete their holiday shopping for their loved ones. Those officers participating in the event pick up the children; take them shopping where they have two-hundred dollars of spending money and a ten-percent discount off of all merchandise from Wal-Mart. The children and their police buddy then return to the Waldorf Elk Lodge for a scrumptious breakfast and gift-wrapping festivities. “It provides a great chance to give back to our community and to those who are less fortunate,” said one spokesperson involved in program. Many of the children even, in the true season of giving, resist the temptation of buying any presents for themselves. They load up their cart full of gifts for their family members and loved ones.
It’s a humbling program, and those who have experience in it will tell you that there is no greater joy then giving back to the less fortunate. For more information on the program visit the Charles County Sheriff Office’s Website, and if you would like to have a hand in this wonderful program, you can donate however much you can, so that you too can have the satisfaction of knowing that you made another family’s holiday season truly delightful.
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