Police take 82 kids on shopping spree
Annual Shop with a Cop event helps youth for the holidays
Amidst the flashing lights and blaring sirens of dozens of police cars, 82 Charles County children were delivered to the Waldorf Walmart for a pull-out-allthe-stops shopping trip with law enforcement officers.
The 10th Annual Shop with a Cop event took place early Saturday morning, featuring law enforcement escorts from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the La Plata Police Department, the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Transportation Authority.
“The smiles on their faces when they’re told they’re going to go Christmas shopping with a police officer and ride with lights and sirens, it’s every kid’s dream,” said Pfc. Colby Shaw.
Shaw said the event began after he and another officer participated in a similar program in a different county.
“We were like, ‘Man, we have to do this in Charles County,’ so we went to the sheriff’s office and FOP [Fraternal Order of Police] Lodge 24, and both of them sponsor this program,” Shaw said.
The FOP lodge solicits donations throughout the year.
“Over the 10-year span, I think we’ve helped over a thousand kids with their Christmas,” Shaw said.
Shaw said that one of the first child participants in Shop with a Cop is now studying to become a police officer.
“To see that, going from a kid we interacted with to now he wants to be one of us, you can’t ask for anything better than that,” Shaw said.
The children were selected based on need and recommended by Charles County Public Schools, the Charles County Children’s Aid Society, social service agencies and individual officers.
CCSO spokeswoman Diane Richardson said every child is given a $200 budget. Half of that is supposed to be spent on winter clothing necessities, the rest spent however the children see fit.
“Most of the time, they spend it on their family,” Richardson said. “It’s really ver y sweet.”
Richardson said officers volunteered to take part on their own time.
Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry (D) said the event gives children the opportunity to interact positively with police.
“This is an outstanding event,” Berry said. “It’s an opportunity for us, during the holiday season, to give back to the community and let others see us as more than just law enforcement.”
Walmart employees were on-hand to greet the children and police as they arrived, and to assist them in their shopping. A dedicated register was also opened for the children’s purchases, and store employees handed out candy canes to the children.
“It’s a great community event,” said Chris Starcher, Walmart department manager. “We love being a part of this every year.”
Walmart store manager George Winningham said the best part is seeing the smiles on children’s faces when they arrive with the officers.
“It’s something the kids will always remember, and something that I’ll always remember,” Winningham said.
Cfc. A.M. Davis said this is the fifth year he’s taken part in Shop with a Cop. He said the best part is, “just being able to come out and see the kids having a good time and just being able to help them out.”
Following the shopping trip, police brought the children to the Waldorf Elks Lodge hall for a Christmas party. Children were treated to lunch, music, face painting and a visit from Santa Claus, and could also get their presents wrapped.
“The kids have a great time, and I think the officers have an even better time, as they get to hang out with these kids,” Shaw said.
CCSO Capt. Michael McGuigan said the Elks Lodge donated the hall, while the Waldorf Lions Club donated the food. McGuigan spent most of the morning cooking and preparing the food.
“There are so many kids for whom this is their Christmas,” McGuigan said.