Shopping trip: Law enforcement agencies accepting donations for kids’ Christmas giveaway
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 1 month AGO
Othello Police Department Officer Seth Carlson gives presents to a 2020 Shop With a Cop participant.
File photo
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | December 9, 2021 1:07 AM
MOSES LAKE — Donations are being accepted until Monday for this year’s Shop With A Cop programs, sponsored by many law enforcement agencies and associations around the Columbia Basin. However, donations are also taken year-round for the programs.
Shop With A Cop pairs kids and their families with law enforcement officers, sometimes firefighters, for an evening of Christmas shopping. The kids get a gift card and a personal shopper (or shoppers) and buy gifts for family and friends.
Some agencies canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and others made some modifications. Some agencies are returning to an in-person event in 2021, while others are staying with the modified setup. But all agencies are accepting donations of money, and in some cases, new clothes and toys.
The Quincy Police Officers Association, the union representing Quincy police officers, is using a modified format for 2021, with the officers shopping for the kids. Officer Jazzlynn Silva said the families got a “wish list,” asking for something the kids want, something the family needs, the child’s favorite sport and favorite candy, among other things.
“We’re getting ready to shop this week and next week,” Silva said.
The QPD is taking money donations, as well as donations of new toys, new clothes and other items, like new blankets.
Monetary donations are being accepted at the police department office, 223 First Ave. SW, or can be mailed to P.O. Box 426, Quincy, Washington, 98848. Checks should be made out to the Quincy Police Officers Association and designated for Shop With A Cop.
People who want more information can contact Silva at 509-797-3555.
Soap Lake Police Department Chief Ryan Cox said the department has a link for donations on its social media page. Donations also can be made at the SLPD office, 239 Second Ave. SE, Soap Lake, Washington. Cox said monetary donations are preferred. Any donations of toys or other items are given to other agencies and organizations, he said.
The Othello Police Department is returning to shopping in-person with the kids this year. Department administrative assistant Evelyn Miron said the OPD is taking monetary donations, which can be made at the department office, 500 E. Main St., Othello, Washington.
The OPD also is taking donations of new toys, new clothes and other items, Miron said.
The Moses Lake Police Department and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office typically work together for Shop With A Cop, and are this year. Both are accepting money donations.
Donations can be made at the MLPD office, 411 S. Balsam St., Moses Lake, Washington. Donations should be designated for the Shop With A Cop program.
Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer, said monetary donations can be made at the GCSO, 35 C St. NW, Suite B, Ephrata, Washington. Donations also can be made through the Columbia Basin Foundation, which has a place to donate on its website, www.columbiabasinfoundation.org. Donations also can be dropped off at the foundation office, 234 First Ave. NW, Ephrata, Washington. Donations should be designated for the Shop With A Cop fund.
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