La Grande Shop with a Cop bringing Christmas joy to 15 local kids
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, November 27th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Christmas is a time of giving and being close to those who matter most to you. For local kids who would love to give back to their families but might not have the time or money or maybe just aren’t sure where to start, the La Grande Police Department has them covered. In keeping with its Christmas tradition of giving back to the community, the LGPD will host their 15th annual Shop with a Cop Event on Thursday, December 14.
For those unfamiliar, Shop with a Cop is a program to help local students Christmas shop with their families and spend a fun day with their local law enforcement. During the past 15 years, over 220 kids have participated in the program according to LGPD Lieutenant Jason Hays (who also provided photos from last year’s event). Like last year, 15 kids from first through sixth grade were selected from Central Grade School, the La Grande Middle School, Island City Grade School, and the Rising Stars Program to participate.
Kicking off at 11:00 a.m., the kids will be taken out of school for the afternoon and meet up with local law enforcement and other volunteers at Walmart. There, they’ll be paired up with an officer and given $150 dollars to go Christmas shopping for their families. Lunch is provided, and volunteers wrap their Christmas Presents for them. In addition, the kids receive, as described by Hays, “a new backpack full of goodies and there is even a little something for the parents/guardians as well.”
If the kids don’t have a Christmas tree at home, officers will even help arrange one for them. In total, the program consists of 35 volunteers, including LGPD officers, Union County Sheriffs Deputies, Oregon State Troopers, dispatchers, administrators, retirees, as well as citizen volunteers. The event is further supported with donations from various local businesses and community members.
Not only does the program let kids give back to their families when they may not otherwise be able to, it gives them a break to simply enjoy the holiday cheer and have a unique experience by meeting their local law enforcement one-on-one. As glowingly described by Hays:“This is an event where everyone involved is positively impacted. If you happen to be at Walmart during the event, the smiles on the kids’ faces will say it all. It is not uncommon for kids to tell us, ‘This is the best day of my life!’”
Donations to Shop with a Cop are always accepted. For those interested in supporting the program, reach out to Erin Dickhausen at the La Grande Police Department during weekdays or speak with Erin in person at the wrapping area in front of Walmart during this year’s Shop with a Cop.
