Mid-Del youth and families received a helping hand from their local police departments during recent Shop With A Cop events.
In Midwest City, officers continued the tradition of their program, which started in December 1997, by taking local children in need shopping at the Midwest City Wal-Mart, 7500 E. Reno Blvd. on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Police personnel were paired up with every child to help them select their goodies. Funds for the event are made possible by various fundraisers help throughout the year.
Since its inception, MWCPD has raised approximately $85,000 to help more than 850 children have a brighter holiday season by giving them $100 to spend.
Del City’s Shop With A Cop is in its second year under the direction of Officer Brad Cowden, who has been with the department for four years.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the DCPD started at the Del City Nazarene Church with 23 kids and their families for a pancake breakfast that was provided by church members.
After everyone’s tummies were full, the officers paraded their young counterparts to their police cars. Everyone then loaded up and departed the church for Walmart but not without all of the sirens and lights shining.
At the Del City Walmart on Sooner Road, officers and their excited shopping buddies dressed in official Shop With A Cop T-shirts, grabbed up baskets and took off for the clothing and toy sections of the store. It was a full-on shopping event with smiles all around and little voices saying, "Oh, I want this" and "Can I have this?"
When the shopping marathon concluded, back in the lawn and garden department, Santa’s elves, a.k.a. store employees, were anxiously awaiting to check out shoppers and then wrap presents. As one final token, Cowden handed all of the youth "Challenge" coins commemorating the event and for parents, a full Christmas meal donated by Walmart’s deli department.
Cowden said it had been several years Del City conducted a shopping trip. He wanted to bring it back, he said, because as a part-time security officer in local schools, he has seen the need and wanted to help.
"All we needed was someone to step up and do it and I was happy to," Cowden said.
Cowden started planning this year’s event in February, he said. He called Walmart a huge supporter of the event because of their donation of funds and supplies.
"I have a deal with them: they take care of everything and I take care of the money."
This year the DCPD raised $2,500, which allowed them to take 23 kids shopping. Cowden said this is almost double the amount raised last year and afforded the department to spend more money on each child. In total, 23 of the city’s 27 patrol officers participated in the event, and several brought along their families to help too.
