Shop with a Cop 2010

By Lt John Davis

It's a wonderful feeling when one is part of a project that makes a child's face light up with a smile. That is one of many thoughts that go through the minds of the law enforement officers during the Lamar Police Department's annual Shop With A Cop Day.

2010 was the largest year yet for the program, as 74 children between the ages of 5 and 11 were given a $100 gift card and taken shopping for Christmas. Officers try to include children outside the age range when possible.

The program is designed to help families that are going through a tough time and to show the children that the police are there to help them and that they can trust them. The program is funded by donations so that children can shop for Christmas presents. Many would not have any Christmas without this type program. The children are selected by officers with input from teachers, Department of Family Services, BARCEDA, other law enforcement, and even sponsors. Last year the program was expanded to cover all of Barton County and invited 37 kids from 18 different families. This year that number was doubled. Again this year each family was given a food basket to take home in addition to shopping. None of this would be possible if not for the citizens, businesses and civic groups in Barton County that donate each year.

As mentioned, it's only through the generosity of many that this number of children can be served. In 2010 the money started rolling in early with a donation from Great Southern Bank in Lamar. Donations continued with many more: Lamar Travel Plaza, CMAC Auto, Winter Bass Brawl, Lamar Lions Club, Lamar Atheneum Club, New Centuryy Club, Casey's General Store, Lamar Insurance Center, Berryhill Oil, Daniel Funeral Home, Midwewst Radar, Fraternal Order of Eagles, The x-Group, Schnelle SM, Inc., Lamar Greenhouse & Florist, Bruce Belline Insurance, Barton Mutual Group, Lamar Walmart, and multiple individuals too numerous to name. One real surprise this year was the Elks Lodge donating $2,000 they were going to use for their Christmas project to the Shop With a Cop project instead. What a wonderful way to bless the community. City officers and County Deputies, who work hand in hand on this project spent a few hours one crisp November morning at Walmart holding a hat block where they raised $1,200 from the generosity of shoppers. Forgive us if any sponsor was left out inadvertantly, but donations are still coming as of the time of this writing.

The PD received a very special blessing from an unexpected source. The amount was not the best blesssing, although nice. What made the gift special is the source. Some of last year's participants attend Lamar Family Ministries' fellowship. When they shared with their church how blessed they had been last year, LFM decided to take a special collection to bless others back. THAT is community and caring at its best. They raised enough to sponsor five children in 2010. It's great to see those who benefit from a program such as this one want to give something back and light a spark in others to help, too.

To tell you what this great day entails, start at 3:30 AM with Mel and Sherri from Eastside Pizza and Deli with their helpers donating then cooking breakfast at Lamar UMC for the entire crowd. Thanks to them and to the LUMC for the food and the place to serve this big group. Once full, everyone loaded onto the busses from Oakton UMC for the half-mile long convoy of busses and police cars out to Walmart. Once unloaded, they heard the rumble and roar of Gailand Johnston arriving in his tricked out truck with two VIP's, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Everyone shook Santa's hand and passed many hugs around, then it was off to shop with a cop. Kids and cops all had a wonderful time going through the whole store deciding what to buy. Sometimes the decision was easy, sometimes, not so easy.

Every year there are great kids, and this year was no exception. Many spent their money on siblings or Mom and Dad. One tyke, only 7 years old, refuse to get himself anything until he got the perfect thing for his Mom. When asked why, he replied, "because she is always trying to give me everything and take care of me, so this year I want to take care of her." From a 7 year old. Wow. Top that.

Now, if kids are giving gifts away, then need to be wrapped, right? SO, there were volunteers on hand to wrap gifts. Volunteers came from city hall, the Elks, the New Centruy Club, and did a great job keeping it all straight.

Each child had a picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and of course their new police officer friend. The night crew at Walmart helped set up the photo gallery, and assembled grocery gift baskets for the project, even though they did not know the kids and cops were coming until the very last minute. They were troopers. Walmart donated the over 300 pictures processed and the Walmart checkers worked over two hours tying up three registers to check everyone out. It was a huge group effort. Thanks goes to everyone who has any part in this huge successful event.

The final thanks goes to all the officers who helped and came to shop from Lamar PD, Barton County Sheriff's Department, Nevada PD, CArthage PD, Webb City PD, Joplin PD, MO State Highway Patrol, Mo State Department of Conservation, spouses, dispatchers and anyone else who might have been missed. There is no way to pull off something like this without a lot of help. There is no way to measure the long term impact this event could have on 74 little lives. For now, just measure the 74 little smiles, and say to all, "Well done."