Each year, the Murphy Police Department – in partnership with Walmart and aided by the Andrews Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and many volunteers – join forces to help make Christmas special for local children in grades K-5 and their families.
The Shop with a Cop program began in December 2004 thanks to a special holiday grant from Walmart. The program has continued to grow since then due to support and donations from local businesses, organizations and individuals.
Shop with a Cop provides a wonderful opportunity for children to interact with local police officers, seeing them in a different light while receiving a few Christmas gifts for a brighter holiday season.
Saturday morning started at 8 a.m. with breakfast for the children and volunteers at Murphy Elementary School. The meals, which were provided by McDonald’s, included breakfast sandwiches, juice, coffee, cookies and fruit.
After breakfast, almost 100 children and their volunteers were paired up and boarded two activity buses that proceeded to Walmart. The two buses had a police escort vehicle in front and were followed by a number of law enforcement vehicles, all with lights and sirens on.
Numerous Walmart employees were lined up outside to welcome the buses loaded with the children. Each child, once inside, was paired with their officer or volunteer and was allowed to spend a $150 gift card on anything they wanted.
Some of the children wanted to buy gifts for other people, embodying the true spirit of Christmas.
Walmart carts, kids and cops flooded the toy aisles as the officers reached, lifted and helped fill buggies with everything from Barbies and Nerf guns to scooters and hair bows. Checkout registers 1 and 2 were reserved for the elementary shoppers.
“It’s a blessing from the Murphy Police Department in a time of need, and we’re very thankful for the smiles on our two children’s faces,” Lindsey Shipers said.
Cherokee County sheriff’s Deputy Don Latulipe said, “I’ve done this for 16 years, and this is always my favorite day of the year.”
After the kids were done with their shopping, they boarded the two buses and headed back to the school gym where they were provided lunch with the help of Pizza Hut and Subway.
This year, about 92 kids benefited from Shop with a Cop, which was organized by Murphy assistant police chief Dustin Smith. For details about Shop with a Cop or to help with next year’s program, call him at 837-2214.