Local law enforcement gearing for 16th annual La Grande Shop with a Cop
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, December 9th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – It’s the giving season, and local kids are being given a special opportunity to give their families an extra special Christmas, with some help from local law enforcement and volunteers of course. The 16th annual La Grande Shop with a cop event is slated for 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 17th at the Walmart in Island City. 15 local kids, grades 1-6, will get the opportunity to partner up with a member of the La Grande Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, or Oregon State Police to go Christmas shopping for their immediate families.
Participating kids were selected by staff from the La Grande School District and will be given $150 to do their Christmas shopping, with an opportunity to pick out something special for themselves. On the 17th, the LGPD will pick up the kids from school and drop them off at Walmart. Once there, they’ll be paired up with a law enforcement officer and get to shopping.
As the day goes on, gifts will be wrapped by volunteers while the kids enjoy lunch provided by Domino’s Pizza and Coca-Cola. Once Shop with a Cop wraps up, the kids will be sent home with their wrapped presents. An extra gift will also be provided to each family, “ensuring the holiday season is extra special for all involved,” as written by the LGPD.
A team of over 35 dedicated volunteers makes Shop with a Cop possible every year. The LGPD would also like to thank Walmart for its critical role in making the event possible through the donations of clothing, gifts, volunteer time, and simply providing the space. Other key local supporters include Loveland’s Funeral Chapel, Sunrise Rotary, and various local businesses and community members. As optimistically written by the LGPD:
“The La Grande Police Department looks forward to another successful and heartwarming event that continues to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.”
For more information or to arrange donations, contact Lt Jason Hays or Erin Dickhausen at 541-963-1017.
(Photos provided by the LGDP are from the 2022 and 2023 Shop with a Cop events)
