December 14, 2014
The 18th Annual Shop With A Cop program hosted by Plymouth FOP Lodge 195 treated nearly200 children to breakfast and a shopping trip on Saturday.
Hurshel Hunter, President of FOP 195 told those gathered for breakfast at the Plymouth Wesleyan Church that in the first year, 1996 the program took 25 kids and at their highest they took 380.
Last year the local Shop With A Cop program created a new program after the application committee said they were seeing the same families participating in the program year after year. Hunter said, “The new program marries the elderly with the young. The FOP purchases gift cards from local business for groceries and then surprises elderly in the grocery stories with a gift card to help purchase their groceries.”
Thank-you’s were also given to the Plymouth Masonic Lodge for providing breakfast for the kids and their parents and to the church for providing the space. Hunter also took time to thank the businesses, organizations and individuals who support the Shop With A Cop program. He also thanked Wal-Mart for their assistance in making the shop a great experience for all involved.
After breakfast the crowd was split in two and the first wave converged on Wal-Mart about 9 a.m. with the second wave coming out about 20 minutes later. Police officers from various agencies across the northern part of the state, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, conservation officers and civilian volunteers were paired with a family and the shopping began.
The first stop typically was for warm clothing, shoes and boots and socks and underwear. Parents were helping their kids select coats, gloves, pajamas, and boots. The kids were picking out tooth brushes and blankets too. After the necessities were in the cart, came the hardest part of the morning….picking a toy.
The whole day was finished long before noon.