Murphy – The Shop With a Cop program in Cherokee County started in December 2004, thanks to a special holiday grant from Walmart to the Murphy Police Department.
The program has continued to grow since then with support and generous donations from businesses, organizations and individuals. Pairing law enforcement officers with children in a fun and exciting atmosphere provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to interact with local police, while receiving a few Christmas gifts for a brighter holiday season.
The morning starts out at Murphy Elementary School with breakfast before pairing children up with their officer for some shopping and fun. The children then move onto busses, where they are escorted by police cars displaying lights and sirens to Walmart.
Once at the store, children are able to shop for their desired Christmas gifts while chaperoned by their officer, who assists with reaching shelf items younger arms are unable to.
Shop With a Cop first began in December 2004, when Louis Kloepper, an officer with the Dundee Police Department in Illinois, took 15 children out for breakfast and shopping. Kloepper used his own money, combined with the desire to build positive relationships between cops and the community, with the primary focus being on children coming from a disadvantaged background.
Assistant chief Ryan Cunningham with the Murphy Police Department is grateful for any donations, as it would not be possible if it weren’t for the many generous people who assist the program with their volunteer time and monetary gifts. Volunteers as well as donations of any size are still being accepted.
Details: Call the Murphy Police Department at 828-837-2214.