Manchester Kids Shop With A Cop

Manchester's own Deputy Lowe, Haley, Katie from Delta Delta Delta, and Nick all had a great time shopping for the Castro family.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?  Me either.  But 19 Manchester kids received a helping hand with their shopping this year at the “Shop with a Cop” event.

Organized by Sgt. Keith Flores of the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department, just under 100 western Washtenaw children were given a special Christmas this year.

The Shop with a Cop program started in 2002 as a way to give back to the community and reach out to kids in need.  The children are generally selected by referrals from social workers and counselors and are given a wonderful opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and family members.  It is also a very positive experience with law enforcement officers and occasionally the Sheriff’s Department invites a child not based on financial need, but because a deputy personally wishes to encourage or mentor a child.

The program is funded entirely by donations.  Meijer is the largest sponsor of the event, but many businesses including a number of Manchester merchants and individuals donated to this wonderful program.  Meijer donated $10,000 and a number of their employees volunteered for the event.  Ben Negron, the store director, indicated “Meijer wants not only to be a good merchant in the communities that we serve, but a good neighbor in the communities that we serve.  This is our way of being a good neighbor during a time that a lot of people are hurting.  For a lot of kids, this is their Christmas.”

On the night of the event, each child was paired with another child, an officer and a volunteer for the entire evening.  Each was given a Shop with a Cop t-shirt to wear during the event (for identification purposes) and a name tag.  That’s when the festivities began!  Kids, officers, and volunteers were treated to dinner, face painting, visits with Santa, Colors the Clown, stuffing their own teddy bear, cookie decorating, and of course, shopping!

Each year, Sgt. Flores finds that at least some of the children buy an essential item for the family.  Several years ago, one child used half of his money to buy his dad a $50 gas card.  Last year, one child bought socks and underwear.  Sgt. Flores and the officers notice when the children do this, and each year, they try to make the event better than the year before.

Every year, as more people know about this event and donations increase, the event becomes better for the kids.  This year, due to the generous donations, every kid received $125 per child to shop for themselves and their families, an increase from $100 per child in the past.  Each one also received socks and underwear, along with restaurant gift cards to allow the family to spend time together, and a gas card.  Families without a lot of discretionary funds don’t always have the money to spend an evening out at a restaurant.  By giving them coupons for a free kid’s meal and a gift card for the family, it allows them all to have some special time together.

Sgt. Flores’ goal for next year is for every child to leave with a new winter coat in addition to everything that was given this year.  So, if you’re looking for a great organization to make one last charitable donation this year, consider Shop with a Cop.

For more information or to donate to Shop with a Cop contact Sgt. Keith Flores (734) 424-0587 or floresk@ewashtenaw.org.  Donations can also be sent to: DCOPS 8140 Main Street, Dexter 48130.  You can also check out the Beyond the Badge episode for more information about this great program.

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by News News