Menu
Shop With A Cop provides smiles for area children
The Shop With A Cop program delighted area youngsters Saturday morning, with a McDonald's breakfast at West Elementary School followed by a gift card shopping spree at Wal-Mart.
At the breakfast, the children were paired with various members of participating uniformed personnel from area law enforcement agencies and military personnel, who took part in the event. Pioneer Federal Regional Manager Mary Morin and Assistant Manager Carla Hawk helped pair the children with their volunteer personnel.
The agencies that were represented included the Mountain Home Fire Department, the Elmore County Sheriff's Office, Mountain Home Police Department, MHAFB, Mountain Home and Elmore County COPs programs, a member of the Emmett Police Department and the city Animal Shelter.
Mountain Home Police officer Melanie Rhodes and C.D. Houston, a member of the city volunteer COPs program, were among the volunteers.
A total of 105 children took part, along with 125 uniformed volunteers.
"As of three days ago, we didn't have enough volunteers, now we have more volunteers than kids. It's such a great turnout," said Sgt. Rick Viola of the Mountain Home Police Department and one of the organizers of the Shop With A Cop program.
The children got the opportunity to meet McGruff the Crime Dog and Smokey the Bear. Smokey was joined by Moises Herrera, resident ranger for the Bureau of Land Management.
The children and their volunteers, enjoyed a hearty McDonald's breakfast that included pancakes, Egg McMuffins, juice and milk. The children also received kids meal toys from the movie, "Bee Movie."
"It's unbelievable, this is the largest event we've ever had, bigger than last year," said Troy Clark, owner of the McDonald's on Airbase Road.
As the children were singing along with the carols that were sung throughout the breakfast, Santa Claus visited with the kids and took time to take pictures with the children, McGruff, Smokey and some of the volunteers.
Following the breakfast, the children filed out of the school, and loaded into a huge precession of emergency and personally owned vehicles that then made their way toward Wal-Mart.
When the vehicles ended up at Wal-Mart, every child and volunteer were greeted with applause from the Wal-Mart staff. Following group pictures, taken by the store, they were given the "green light" to start their shopping spree.
The kids began ravaging the store, looking through the clothes, electronics and the toys section. The children all showed their individual generosity by not only buying gifts for themselves, but purchasing presents for their friends and loved ones. Whenever the children exceeded their gift card amounts, the volunteers often stepped up to pay the excess amount.
Mayor-elect Tom Rist was in attendance and said it was a "heartwarming experience."
"It's very gratifying to see this take place, I'm very proud of the police department for their dedication and service that made sure this event was possible."
After their shopping, the children progressed to the rear of the store and with help from the volunteers from McDonalds and Pioneer Federal wrapped their gifts, then proceed to meet and get their picture taken with Santa Claus in the two Alaskan shelter tents set up by members of the 726th Air Control Squadron from MHAFB.
The workers included SrA. Jeremy Gilkerson, SrA. Stephen Jones, SSgt. James Stewart, TSgt. James Austin, A1C Robbie Hamilton and SSgt. Stephen Lusk.
Before getting their picture with Santa, Elves (McDonald's and Pioneer Federal volunteers), gave each of the children their own individual presents. Then after their picture with Santa, the children were given juice and cookies, and left to meet their families at Subway.
"It's just been a great event, when you have the kids share the joy of Christmas and giving, it's a great example of the holiday spirit," said Viola.
"It was great to see the kids come out with their smiles on their faces, when they feel good, we feel good. What I loved the most was seeing the kids come in and shop for their family instead of themselves," said Rhodes.
Houston, who has been a part of Shop With A Cop since 1996, said, "it's fantastic. This is a great event for the kids. I wish I had something like this growing up. With this event the kids get a chance to appreciate what the city does for them."
"I think the event was wonderful," said Wal-Mart manager Elaine Neva. "We had a great turnout, the kids were so excited and the holiday enthusiasm was great." said Neva.
"It went wonderful," said Assistant Manager Debbie Hammers. "This has been great. I appreciate the guys on base who worked so hard in putting the tents up. It was a true community involvement (and) the kids were wonderful to watch and so pure of heart."
Morin, also enjoyed her time at the event. "We had a great turnout, we had a lot of volunteers and kids, everyone seemed to be doing well, the community has been great with helping us out today."
The children appreciated the event, and commented on what they liked the best,
"I've had fun, shopping for my family and friends. That was my favorite part," said Kelsi Michaud (who, along with sister, Lia, was paired with Houston and COP Commander Ken Robertson).
"I've had fun shopping for my family and friends, I liked the breakfast and Santa," said Lia Michaud.
"I liked the shopping and I want to wish a very Merry Christmas to my mom and grandma.My mom has always taken good care of me," said Shaylene Anderson.
"I liked shopping the best. Meeting McGruff and Santa was cool," said Harlee Snyder (who was paired with Rhodes and Courtney Broughton, a cadet from Teenage Law Enforcement).
" I liked the shopping and the person I went shopping with, (A1C Cecile Du, LRS)," said Johanna Garcia.
Alyssa and her little sister, Alonni Wilburn, also shared how they felt about the day,
"I had fun shopping for my family, I like the Frogs doll I bought," said Alonni.
"I liked the fact that I got a lot of stuff for my family and friends," said Alyssa.