Williamsburg Shop-With-A-Cop helps makes Christmas brighter for 180 local children

Williamsburg Police Officer Jason Strunk helps one local girl pick out some toys during the police department’s ninth annual Shop-With-A-Cop held at Wal-Mart.

For parents or grandparents, raising children can be a difficult and expensive thing, especially at Christmas time.

Thanks to the efforts of local police, emergency responders and countless other volunteers, things got a little easier for about 180 local children thanks in part to the Ninth Annual Williamsburg Police Department Shop with a Cop program Thursday evening.

About 180 less fortunate children were treated to $100 shopping sprees at the Williamsburg Wal-Mart where police officers, firefighters, EMT’s and various other volunteers helped them shop.

"The times are rough and this is a good thing that the cops are doing for the families," said Wilma Johnson, who has been raising her granddaughter, Charity Hall, for the last seven years.

Johnson said grandparents like her appreciate the effort.

"It is real hard to provide for them. Times are tough," Johnson noted.

Johnson said she found out about the program through Sherry Hall, a family resource center worker at Whitley North Elementary School.

Grandmother Bee Shelton said she also found out about the event through her local family resource center at Whitley Central.

She said the event also means a lot to her because it enables her to get Christmas presents for her two granddaughters, Sarai Shelton, 5, and Natalie Shelton, 9, which she couldn’t afford to buy or couldn’t easily afford to buy.

"It is very tough, especially when you live on a fixed income," Shelton added.

Sarai Shelton said she was excited about shopping with a police officer because "it’s fun!"

She wouldn’t reveal what she planned to buy though. "That’s between me and the cops," Sarai Shelton exclaimed.

Williamsburg Deputy Police Chief Jason Caddell said that about 180 children would be served through this year’s effort, which is about the same number as last year.

Officers in the department and other volunteers work throughout the year to raise funds for the event.

The mud bog and Turkey Trot are major fundraisers but several businesses and individuals also donate each year.

"The community really kicks in to help us raise the money," he added.

Caddell said the work for the program is worth it when you see the looks on the faces of the children.

"You have these kids, who for whatever circumstances aren’t as well off as a bunch of other kids," Caddell said. "Most people, their kids have all kinds of toys under the tree.

"They don’t understand that a lot of these kids don’t have that kind of opportunity. We help provide that and it is great. Helping kids pick clothes and toys, it is great," Caddell said.

Caddell said that given all the drugs and violence officers see on a daily basis, the event is a nice break for police.

"This morning we had the drug round-up and we’re dealing with the worst, then we get to deal with kids and that is just great," Caddell noted. "It is a totally different side of our work. It is a great stress reliever.

"You go from dealing with bad people to dealing with kids. Everybody has fun with kids."