Although Christmas is only days away, "Shop With A Cop" will continue after Dec. 25 has come and gone.
A total of 126 Bartholomew County children were scheduled to go on shopping sprees with law enforcement officers last Sunday at the west side Walmart. But a number of kids had to postpone their shopping spree until a later date, according to Alan Trisler, president of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge #89, which sponsors the event.
In addition, up to 60 children in Brown County are still waiting for their shopping sprees. Those kids have to wait because a number of Brown County officers are in quarantine after a potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus, Trisler said.
Approximately 200 children will be served by the event officially known as the "FOP 89 Youth Program," Trisler said. The name "Shop With A Cop" is copyrighted by an Ohio firm, but the copyright owner has shown some leniency in its use by the media.
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Things went smoothly Sunday as children went shopping with law enforcement officers from the Columbus Police Department, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources — and even town marshals.
"We were overwhelmed by the number of officers from all departments who showed up," Trisler said.
Although every child was eligible to receive up to $250 worth of goods, there were some who were satisfied with items worth well below their allotted maximum, the FOP president said.
Most money is spent on clothes, although the FOP does set aside $50 for toys.
Besides helping to build positive relationships between officers and children, the event is also known for attracting contributors while the event is going on.
"We had our first donation made before the first kid came through, and we had our last donation while we were walking out the door," Trisler said. "Somebody caught up with us and gave us $60."
The most unique donation came from two people who pooled resources and provided the FOP with several thousand dollars usually collected through a charity golf tournament, Trisler said. The tournament had to be cancelled due to the virus.
Since the "FOP 89 Youth Program" sponsors year-round outreach programs for children, the lodge accepts contributions at any time.
Checks can be mailed to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89, P.O. Box 204, Columbus, IN, 47201. Donors are asked to write on the check that it is a contribution to “Shop With A Cop" or the "FOP 89 Youth Program."
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To see more photos from Sunday’s Shop with a Cop event, visit www.therepublic.com
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