Shop with a cop receives donations

Mountain Outreach staff and work study students hand a check to the Williamsburg Police Department for its Shop with a Cop program.

Shop with a Cop programs in Williamsburg and Laurel County recently received donations from local groups.

Mountain Outreach (MO), a ministry operated by University of the Cumberlands, recently donated funds to the Williamsburg Police Department (WPD) to help fund the Department’s Shop with a Cop event this year.

“The Williamsburg Police Department is very thankful for the generous donation, and the community is truly blessed to have a wonderful organization such as Mountain Outreach who is willing to touch the lives of children in our community during the holiday season,” said Police Chief Wayne Bird. “The Department participates in many events, but the Shop with a Cop program is without a doubt the most meaningful and rewarding thing we do as a police department.”

The Williamsburg Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program is returning this year after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The program takes about 150 less fortunate children on $100 shopping sprees at Walmart each Christmas.

“We are extremely thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ and to our donors who make it possible for us to partner with local law enforcement to help provide Christmas gifts for local children,” said Rocky Brown, director of Mountain Outreach.

Bobbi Rose, Post 88 Ladies Auxiliary, and Lawrence Rose, 1st Vice of American Legion Post 88, recently presented Laurel County Sheriff John Root (center) with a $500 donation for the Shop with a Cop program.

Staff and volunteers with Mountain Outreach will join police officers on December 16 to shop for the children’s Christmas gifts. This donation from Mountain Outreach is in addition to purchasing gifts for children and their younger siblings through the Angel Tree Programs at local schools.

To help contribute to Mountain Outreach’s Christmas efforts, visit ucumberlands.edu/give2uc. For more information about Mountain Outreach and its year-round community outreach and service, visit ucumberlands.edu/mountainoutreach.

On Dec. 6, American Legion Post #88 and Post #88 Ladies Auxiliary in southern Laurel County presented their annual $500 donation to the Laurel County Shop with a Cop program.

The next day Ott’s Store, Ruby Market and Revenue Boosters all also donated $500 to the Laurel County Shop with a Cop program.

“Thanks for the generous donation(s) and your continued support for Shop with a Cop,” said Laurel County Sheriff John Root.