INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — That time of the year will soon be upon us once again and the children will be making out their lists of what they want for Christmas. Walmart has joined with the local law enforcement agencies to help make dreams come true to so many of the kids in Indian River County.
Shop With A Cop is a way for Law Enforcement Officers to give holiday cheer to local children who may not get anything because their families are unable to provide it. It is also another way of giving back to the community we care so much about and do our best to protect.
Shop With A Cop consists of officers from different law enforcement agencies volunteering their time. They are dedicated to creating a wonderful holiday experience for disadvantaged children in the Indian River County area.
Through sponsors and fund raising, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and Sebastian Police Department will be able to have each child shop at the Walmart in Sebastian with a $100 on a gift card with them money raised. Often a child will buy presents for everyone in the family, but have to be coached by the officer to purchase a present of their own.
It is a very positive experience not only for the kids that are involved, but also for the officers.
The children are picked up at Sebastian City Hall by a school bus and escorted by many police cars to Walmart. Upon arriving at Walmart, the officer and child will meet with the Walmart employee’s and have a snack before shopping.
Walmart provides grocery carts all dressed up for the children and special lines for check out and then each child is assigned an officer. The two will shop until the gift card is empty.
“In order to create this wonderful experience we need the community to come together and support our local law enforcement departments in raising the money and also becoming sponsors in our up and coming events,” organizers said. “We thank you in advance for your participation.”
To that end, organizers are planning a Christmas in July event at Riverview Park in Sebastian on July 27. There will be a Family Fun Day on Sept. 20, at the Old Roseland Volunteer Fire Department, located at 8025 129th Ct., Roseland. And there will be a Softball Tournament on Oct. 18, at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
Organizers are also planning on having cook-out events in front of the Sebastian Walmart. Dates and times have not yet been determined.
All proceeds will benefit the Shop With A Cop program.