Some holiday service projects are fun for all involved, and the inaugural Shop With a Cop project in Greene County seems to be one of them.
All members of the Greene County Peace Officers Association who weren’t working Saturday morning were “off shopping,” but their lists weren’t their own. Wearing their uniforms and driving their patrol cars, they were shopping with 10 Greene County children nominated for the project by various agencies.
Each child was given $100 to spend on his or her parents and siblings. After buying those gifts, the children were able to spend any remaining money on themselves. They shopped at Shopko and Bomgaars in Jefferson and then met at the Greene County Community Center to wrap their gifts and share pizza. The conversation was easy and the fingers were nimble as the officers wrapped gifts. Even tricky oddly-shaped items didn’t daunt the officers and deputies.
Jefferson police officer Blayne Sunstrom (right) shopped with Harley Smith of Farlin (left). Harley picked out gifts for her three siblings and her mother, and then picked out a new outfit for herself.
Jefferson firefighters had three firetrucks at the Community Center for children to see up close and climb into.
According to Jack Williams, president of the Greene County Peace Officers Association, the project was made possible by a donor who prefers not to be named. Williams hopes to double the number of children in the program next year and invites area residents to donate for the 2016 Shop With a Cop. Checks written to the Greene County Peace Officers Association with “Shop With a Cop” in the memo line can be mailed or delivered to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center.
