The stockings were hung from the oak trees with care in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there. And the jolly old fellow did make an appearance at Christmas in July, hosted last Saturday by the Sebastian Police Department in partnership with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Held at Riverview Park in Sebastian, the July fundraiser supports the annual December Shop with a Cop event, where local children in need are given $100 gift cards and are paired up with a member of law enforcement to enjoy a heartwarming shopping experience at Wal-Mart.
Indian River County Sheriff’s Deputy Roberta Barker started Shop with a Cop here five years ago and was joined a year later by fellow organizer, Sebastian Police Department School Resource Officer Ashley Penn. Shop with a Cop now involves all local law enforcement agencies. The program has grown from 25 children the first year to more than 160 last year, brightening the lives of each child with an afternoon of holiday shopping. The successful Christmas in July family-friendly fundraiser was started three years ago by Sebastian Police Chief Michelle Morris.
Barker said Morris was one of the first volunteers on site last Saturday morning, setting up a grilling station manned by husband Dane and her fellow officers, and would also be one of the last ones to leave. The enticing aroma of burgers wafted along the pleasant riverfront breeze as attendees wandered the pathways under large, shady oaks to shop at dozens of vendors.
Some had a great time dancing alongside Indian River County Sheriff’s Detective Teddy Floyd to lively DJ music provided by Tinamarie Ioffredo with Shhh-Op (the Sebastian Has Hip Hop dance team), while others went looking for prizes at a kids’ scavenger hunt or viewed the antique car show. Most importantly – for the little ones at least – was the highly anticipated visit from Santa, who was vacationing here from the North Pole.
Santa may have been the main attraction, but it was obvious that some residents had come out simply to show support for law enforcement personnel. Countless people quietly walked up to shake the hands of officers including Floyd, Morris and Sheriff Deryl Loar, and to thank them for their service to the community.
“This event is wonderful for us to get to know our community, who we do not see on a regular basis, and also have the community get to know us too,” said Barker. “Other than raising funds for Shop for a Cop to help the kids, that is the most important thing.”
“It helps people see us on a positive level and humanizes us,” added Penn. “We are all in the same brotherhood of law enforcement and we all want to make a difference in our community and help the children.”
Barker believes that the recent spate of officer shootings has actually unified the support of Indian River County residents. In addition to people randomly dropping off treats for officers at the station houses, it has also resulted in higher donations and sponsorships toward this year’s Shop with a Cop event – which in turn will enable even more children to have a festive holiday season.
