The Apopka Police Department hosted its annual Shop with a Cop event on Tuesday, December 6, at the Apopka Super Wal-Mart as a means of fostering positive relationships between youth and police officers, and to give families a joyous holiday season in spite of hardship.
A police officer shopped with 75 local children and their families in search for toys and other items that would bring smiles to their faces this holiday season as well as select gifts for their family.
Children are selected each year during the end-of-the-year holiday season to shop at the Apopka Super Wal-Mart to purchase gifts for themselves and their family. Each child is given a designated amount of money to spend. Children are assigned to a police officer who then escorts them around the store and assists in selecting appropriate gifts.
Officer Harold Cummings, who participated in Shop With a Cop, said he likes to see the kids happy.
“Most of the time when we see them, the situation is not so great, so we get to see the other side of them in this,” he said.
Apopka resident Holly Grady brought her 15-month-old son Brody to Shop With a Cop, where she planned to get stocking stuffers and a learning book. Officer Aaron Gerardi assisted her.
Grady, who was recommended by a doctor to get a mammogram for a hormonal imbalance, was asked by founder Debbie Turner of the Debbie Turner Cancer Care and Resource Center if she would like to participate in Shop With a Cop. Grady said yes.
“It’s nice because people care,” she said.
More on this story will appear in the December 9 issue of The Apopka Chief.
