Annual Shop with a Cop, a merry event for 71 children
Published 1:26 pm Friday, December 8, 2023
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A young boy excitedly waves while enjoying pizza at Elizabethton High School.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders There were several volunteers on hand to help with the event including Angie Peters whose husband, Frank, helped organize an event at Kingsport Motor Speedway and serves as a school SRO at Unaka Elementary.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley takes in all the hustle and bustle of the shopping going on during the Shop with a Cop event.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Santa was present to wish the children a Merry Christmas and even have his photo taken on request.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A young shopper takes time to pose for a quick photo.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The electronic section was a popular stopping point for several of the kids who were treated to a night of Shop with a Cop.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders This lad will surely be warm this El Nino winter as he has found a nice coat and a pair of boots.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A nice pair of pajamas find their way to this youngster's shopping cart with the help of an officer.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A youngster eyes something in the glove and toboggan section of Walmart.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Police vehicles lined the front of Walmart with lights on to welcome the children to the Shop with a Cop event.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders This young shopper has a large selection of toys to choose from as a local officer pushes the cart through the aisles.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Christmas party welcoming team share a laugh while waiting for more kids to show up.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR CORRESPONDENT
Santa came a little early for 71 kids who participated in the 2023 Shop with a Cop event which was held at the Elizabethton Walmart on Wednesday evening.
Several law enforcement agencies participated in helping children shop for themselves with a $200 gift card provided for each child as a result of fundraising efforts such as the sale of T-shirts, an event sponsored by the Kingsport Motor Speedway with proceeds going to helping the children, and donations from individuals, churches, and the Carter County Car Club.
This year’s event was nearly double last year’s as in 2022 there were 37 kids who were served compared to the 71 this year. Donations in 2022 were $6,000 while the 2023 total exceeded $12,000.
Prior to shopping, the children were treated to a pizza party at the Elizabethton High School Commons Area where they enjoyed pizza, chips, cake, and drinks. The time also gave the officers time to meet the children they would be shopping with.
They were escorted to the Walmart by law enforcement vehicles with blue lights flashing in a pair of school buses provided by the Elizabethton school system.
Needless to say, the excitement was evident not only from the children but those officers who took the time to help them pick out everything from clothes, shoes, coats, skateboards, dolls, Legos, and much more.
