‘Shop with a Cop’ brings holiday joy to kids

A number of local law enforcement officers showed up to Walmart, with lights flashing and sirens blaring passing through Main Street – Highway 59. Those in the Walmart parking lot nervous looked on and the community was abuzz with what was happening at the

local Walmart. Thankfully it was good news, as at least 25 police officers from several different departments all over the county area came together to take a child shopping for Christmas in the Shop with a Cop event.

Atlanta’s Chief of Police, Robin Betts, applied for and received a $5000 Wal-Mart grant to be used to take 25 chosen students shopping with a police officer that might have struggled to have a Merry Christmas this year. Each child was assigned to a police officer who helped them load their shopping carts with everything their hearts could desire. The officers went above and beyond by catering to their students and helping them find everything they dreamed of!

Children chose anything from clothes to toys to electronics. Superintendent Sidney Harris said they had a lot of positive feedback from the event. “I think it went very well. I only wish we could have served more kids. I think next year we can plan and have more students involved.”

Of the 25 children, 15 participated from Atlanta and 10 from Queen City. Phyllis Warren explained that “once the grant was awarded, Betts’ notified the superintendents of the Atlanta ISD and the Queen City ISD that he and fellow officers wanted to offer each school the opportunity to select students who may have a need at this time of year. The superintendents then had the principals at the elementary and primary campuses select students.”

“The principal’s involved selected students based on known need. Students who participated may not have otherwise had the opportunity to receive much for Christmas,” explained Warren

In Queen City, “there has been much positive feedback from the families impacted by the opportunity and the school personnel who helped make have expressed much gratitude on behalf of the students and their families,” said Warren. «The children who were able to participate in this activity were so excited and grateful for the opportunity. Some of these students do not get the opportunity to have much for Christmas. Chief Betts› and his partners in this project made these kids› day.»

Warren went on to say that, “Educators by nature have such a heart for children and a great desire to provide for their needs. We always want to provide opportunities for students to experience the very best that life has to offer. The desire to create special opportunities for students and their families is especially heightened during the holiday season. Chief Betts’, Wal-Mart, and the “Shop with a Cop” program helped us make some very deserving children smile. Seeing their faces and their excitement gives all of us something to be grateful for and to feel accomplished about.”

Betts who helped organize the event and whose department applied for the grant said they used to do this in the ‘90s but it has been a while. Betts tried to shy away from the spotlight rather pointed to his fellow police officers and school administrators to get the attention. Of the police he said in the past they have had very positive feedback on this program, and look forward to Shop with a Cop every year.

Atlanta ISD asked to say a special “‘Thank You’ to all involved for making this Christmas so wonderful for these students.”