Every December, the Plymouth Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #195 sponsors an annual Shop With A Cop and Emergency Services event. Police officers from all departments in Marshall County unite each year with firefighters and EMTs to take needy children from all over Marshall County shopping for the holiday.
Plymouth FOP started their Shop With A Cop program in the late 90’s as a way to build a positive relationship between police officers and the children of the community.
Hurshel Hunter, President of FOP 195 said the campaign fundraising efforts are full-blown effort right now with donation jugs being dropped off at local businesses all over the county. Shoppers are asked to drop their change in the container for the less fortunate in our communities. Many locations will have window ornaments to sell and the FOP also does a letter writing campaign.
One of the largest fundraisers for the program is the annual Shop With A Cop Radio Auction on WTCA-FM 106.1 and AM 1050 where more than 400 items will be up for auction on Friday December 5th. Hunter, members of the FOP and volunteers are currently seeking donated items for the radio auction. They can be dropped off at the radio station or call 936-4096 and we can arrange a pick up for you.
Applications for the 2014 Shop With A Cop program are now available at the various elementary and junior high schools in Marshall County, the Boys and Girls Clubs and here at the WTCA Studios, 112 West Washington Street in Plymouth. Applications are due December 5th and must be filled out completely to be considered.
Last year the selection committee reviewed the previous five years of applications and realized a number of families were helped year after year. At that point the committee scrutinized each application and instead of taking approximately 350 children shopping they selected 250. The FOP then purchased sixty $50 gift cards from the local grocery stores and with the help of cashiers handed out the gift cards to elderly shoppers they knew could use the assistance. Hunter said, “We saw ladies cry and men who couldn’t have been more thankful.” Hunter went on the say, “Without the generosity of private citizens and area businesses these projects wouldn’t happen.”
Committee Sherri Bartlet from Pizza Bills said, “Kids need to be aware that police officers are not bad, even though they sometimes make arrests of their family members.” She noted that the Shop With A Cop program builds positive relationships with young people in the community. Bartlet closed her comments by saying, “Every kid deserves a present at Christmas.”
