Shop with a Cop

Flashing lights from firetrucks and police cruisers lit up the parking lot of Middlefield Wal-Mart Saturday night as local law and safety forces provided Christmas a little early for 19 lucky children, who participated in the 7th Annual “Shop with a Cop” event.  The Middlefield Police Department has constructed and adopted the program by providing Middlefield area children, and their families, the opportunity to enjoy the holiday season. The program is designed for less fortunate and under privileged children to go holiday shopping, for themselves and their families, with a police officer or firefighter from the Middlefield Safety Forces.

Police and Fire trucks lined up outside Walmart Saturday night for Shop with a Cop 2011
Police and Fire trucks lined up outside Walmart Saturday night for Shop with a Cop 2011

The children are selected from the Cardinal Schools.  I contact the guidance counselors to let them know how many kids we have enough funds for and they select the kids as they really know who best is in need of this gift.  – Police Chief Ed Samec

Several Middlefield Police Officers, Middlefield Firefighters and Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Deputies come dressed in full uniform and then are teamed up with a child, who came prepared with a list, and then took them shopping in the store.

Chief Ed Samec with Mr. and Mrs. Clause
Chief Ed Samec with Mr. and Mrs. Clause

Middlefield Police Chief Ed Samec geared up the “Shop with a Cop” program 7 years ago.  The first year 6 kids were able to participate and now the program has grown to 19 kids this year.  Each kid gets 250.00 to shop for themselves and their families.

The first year 6 kids were able to participate and now the program has grown to 19 kids this year.

The program survives solely upon fund raisers and donations.  The Middlefield Police Department hosted a Pro Wrestling event, Car Show, The Mid-Evil Renessance Fair at Settlers Village, a reverse raffle/chinese auction at Mary Yoders, as well as, relied on residents who generously donate to the program every year.  “The children are selected from the Cardinal Schools.  I contact the guidnace counselors to let them know how many kids we have enough funds for and they select the kids as they really know who best is in need of this gift.”  says Chief Samec.  Wal-Mart is also a big contributor to the program, they donated $1000 plus all of the supplies needed to wrap as well as food for the dinner.  Mangia Mangia, Zeppes, and Maggies Donuts also dontated food.

The whole Shop with a Cop group gets together for a photo
The whole Shop with a Cop group gets together for a photo

This year was Wal-Mart’s store manager Jeremy Horns second year with being involved in this program.  Jeremy says he is passionate about making sure the store is involved in giving back to the local community.  He works closely with Chief Samec to make sure this event is a success.  “Each year we try to come up with better ideas to make the program more successful than the year before.  It’s my goal to make sure that each kid gets what they ask for” say Horn.

Volunteers wrapping presents for the kids
Volunteers wrapping presents for the kids

Once the kids were finished shopping with their cop, they took their carts to where a team of volunteers were set up to wrap all the gifts for the kids. Santa and Mrs. Clause showed up for the event and took pictures with the kids.

Each year we try to come up with better ideas to make the program more successful than the year before.  It’s my goal to make sure that each kid gets what they ask for. – Jeremy Horn, Walmart Store Manager

After the event, the kids, their families, and the volunteers are invited to go over to the Middlefield Fire Department to enjoy a meal together.  Police Chief Ed Samec, Fire Department Chief Bill Reed, and Mayor Bill Poole thanked all the safety forces and volunteers for helping out with this event.

The program brings about much heartfelt joy to a lot of area children and families. Our goal is that every child gets the chance to enjoy the holiday season. The “Shop with a Cop” program is a wonderful program that the Middlefield Safety Forces intends to hold every year. We hold this program close to our hearts and it means a lot to us.” says Chief Samec.

I am grateful to both Chiefs who have volunteered their time.  I love this program and want to see it continue to be a success. – Mayor Bill Poole

Fire Chief Bill Reed took a moment to thank all of the brothers and sisters in the safety forces who volunteered their time for this event.  “It’s a wonderful event to be a part of.  We are one big happy family and we all want to give back to our communities.  “Shop with a Cop” is one way we are able to do that.”

It’s a wonderful event to be a part of.  We are one big happy family and we all want to give back to our communities.  “Shop with a Cop” is one way we are able to do that. – Fire Chief Bill Reed

Mayor Bill Poole stated he is pleased with how this program has grown from 6 kids 7 years ago nearly 20 kids this year. “I am grateful to both Chiefs who have volunteered their time.  I love this program and want to see it continue to be a success.”

Geauga News
Author: Geauga News