Shop with a Cop is about more than gifts
Christmas is a special time in Highlands, especially for children.
But the unfortunate reality is that not all kids in town have the same opportunities during the holiday season. In some homes Santa Claus’ budget may be more limited than others, and it’s hard to pull Christmas presents together when other needs like rent, utilities and food are more pressing.
Some children even go through the holiday season without a family member around. It might be due to incarceration, addiction, or any other number of factors, but in some households being together for Christmas is not going to happen.
Perhaps that is what makes the Shop with a Cop program so special.
Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland started the program 25 years ago when he saw a similar effort featured on a national news broadcast. The idea to take children who may not have a merry Christmas and lift their spirits took off quickly and has grown to include children from across Macon County.
For those who aren’t familiar with the premise, during Shop with a Cop children who qualify are picked up at their home by a police officer, deputy, fire fighter, EMS worker or other public figure. They are taken to Walmart in Franklin where they are given $100 gift card to shop for themselves and others.
After the shopping trip, the kids get to have dinner with their chaperones, meet Santa Claus, and wrap their gifts before being returned home.
Shop with a Cop is funded completely by donations and serves over 300 children in Macon County every year. All of the chaperones volunteer their time to take part.
Since the program’s inception, Highlands Police Department has been lending its officers to be part of the Shop with a Cop initiative. Holland is always quick to thank chief Bill Harrell and his staff for their support, and we at The Highlander would like to do the same.
Using precious time off to take a child to Walmart, where there are hundreds of additional children waiting, may not sound like a fun afternoon, but it does make a difference and anything that makes Christmas a little more joyous is well worth it.