Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 116, No. 51	December 17, 2008

Local children ‘Shop With Cops’

By VICKEY CARWILE
Messenger Staff

The annual Shop With Cops took place Dec. 13, with 38 children participating. Shop With Cops is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) whose members raise money from roadblocks, local businesses, and individuals in order to provide Christmas to local kids. This year, almost $6,800 was raised.

“Without these contributions, Shop With Cops would not be possible,” said FOP Vice President Bill Basham.

Photos by Vickey Carwile
Pictured, left: Sheriff William “Butch” Kerrick looks on as two young shoppers try to decide what to buy during Shop With Cops.

“It takes a lot of people to make the event a success,” said FOP President Larry Singleton. “We appreciate the contributions of all the businesses and individuals in Meade County. Every penny that we collect is spent on Meade County children at Meade County businesses every year. None of the money goes out of the county.”

During SWC, children are teamed up with an officer from Brandenburg Police Department, Meade County Sheriff’s Department, Meade County EMS or other members of the FOP. Each child is allowed a certain amount of money to spend any way they wish. This year, the “shoppers” were allowed $125 each.

The first stop on the agenda was Pamida. Santa was available to listen to each child’s request. Then, they were off, going down each aisle and trying to decide what to buy, who to buy for and how much to spend. One child bought a Transformer for his little brother and a ring for his mother. With a generous discount from Pamida, the children still had plenty of money left in “the bank.” After checking out, the children were loaded into emergency vehicles.

FOP Vice President Bill Basham pushes a shopping cart overflowing with his charge’s picks. Right: Santa prepares to listen to what this child wants for Christmas.

With lights flashing and sirens blaring, the little convoy made its way down the Bypass to their next and final destination, Cox’s Variety and Garden Center, which also provided a substantial discount.

Up one aisle and down another, the children excitedly chose their bounty. A young girl was wanting a pet. She decided the best course of action was to buy everything needed for a hamster and then hope someone would buy her one for Christmas. Her wish was granted when her grandmother told her she would buy her the hamster.

Once they reached the allotted amount and all had gone through the checkout, the children were again loaded into the vehicles. This time, they were driven around the perimeter of Brandenburg, down the Bypass and to the Meade County Senior Citizens Center where a meal of pizza from Mr. Gatti’s awaited them. Hidden Hollow in Breckinridge County, owned by Bill and Jessica Monin donated over $6,000 worth of clothing for the children.

It was hard to tell who enjoyed the event more – the children or the emergency personnel who took a moment out of their busy day to put a smile on a child’s face.

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