17th Annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ Brings Holiday Joy to Local Kids

ZANESVILLE, OH – Area policemen swapped their sirens for shopping carts yesterday, as they helped local kids check off their Christmas wish lists.

The Fraternal Order of Police made holiday dreams come true with their annual Shop with a Cop event.

This marks the 17th year for the program, where over 50 kids teamed up with officers to shop for their dream Christmas gifts.

Smiles lit up the aisles as the officers helped kids pick out toys, clothes, essentials and other holiday goodies.

“We get with the schools and the agencies and different ones to get kids who need help, they bring them up here, we’re here tonight, there’s 53 kids. we team them up with the officers, they go out, they shop, get warm clothes, some toys. It’s a great time,” Jim Hicks of the Fraternal Order of Police said. “The purpose is to have the officers interact with the children in a time that’s not stressful. It’s great to see the kids laughing and having fun. It’s great.”

The Shop with a Cop program not only gives kids a Christmas to remember, but also helps strengthen the community.

This annual event wouldn’t be possible without the community’s generous donations and support.

“The support of the community is a big thing. We can’t do anything without money and we’ve got donors who have been donating to us every year for the 17 years,” Hicks said. “Some of them large donations and some small donations it all helps. That’s the thing that keeps it going. That and the smiles and happiness of the kids, it just keeps us going.”

The Fraternal Order of Police is already looking forward to spreading more holiday cheer with this program once again next year.