Shopping with a purpose: Kids, local law enforcement officers take carts through store aisles in search of gifts
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 3 months AGO
Daniel O’Connell, left, and his shopping buddy, Othello Police Department Officer Martin Garza, look over the options for a gift for Daniel’s mom during Shop With A Cop Saturday.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald
Heather Miller, left, code enforcement officer for the Othello Police Department, helps her shopping buddy, Nariah Avina, look for gifts during the Othello Shop With a Cop event Saturday.
Jonathan Patricio, left, adds a gift to the cart while his shopping buddy, Othello Police Department Officer Tyson Cox, keeps track of the money during the Othello Shop With A Cop Saturday.
Othello Police Department Officer Rafael Vargas, left, and Addy Martinez discuss possibilities for presents during the Othello Shop With A Cop Saturday.
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 22, 2021 1:07 AM
OTHELLO — Addy Martinez knew exactly what she wanted, and exactly where it was. She went shopping Saturday as part of the Othello Police Department’s annual Shop With A Cop, but she didn’t need to consult her shopping buddy, Officer Rafael Vargas.
She pushed the cart along the aisles at the Othello Walmart, not running, but walking as fast as she could. Vargas trailed in her wake.
Another OPD officer noticed Vargas was being left behind.
“It’s like a foot pursuit, man,” Vargas said.
Nariah Avina wasn’t so sure about her selections. She picked out presents for most of her family, but she still had two big decisions left.
“Now, we’ve got to get something for my mom and my dad. What should we get them? What would my mom love the most?” she asked her shopping buddy Heather Miller, OPD’s code enforcement officer.
Miller shook her head. Avina knew her mom best, Miller said, so she would have to decide. But Miller did offer suggestions.
The kids got to go shopping in person with officers from the OPD and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The in-person part was canceled in 2020, although the officers bought and delivered gifts. OPD Chief Phil Schenck, for one, was happy to see it back.
“I am so glad to be able to do this in person,” Schenck said. “It’s so much more fun to go with them.”
Kids were treated to lunch at the Pizza Factory before they went shopping, and arrived at Walmart in a caravan of police cars, complete with lights and sirens. Store staff were waiting to greet them when they came in. Then it was time to hit the aisles.
“We’re ready to do some shopping,” Schenck told his shopping buddy, Ashley Ambrocio.
Jonathan Patricio discussed his list with his shopping buddy, OPD Officer Tyson Cox.
“So what are you going to get for mom?” Cox asked. “You know what it is?”
Patricio did, and he pretty much knew where to find it.
“Then what am I here for?” Cox asked.
Actually, Cox was there to help him decide what kind his mom needed, and how to get the best value for the money.
Daniel O’Connell also had his mom at the top of his list, which impressed his shopping buddy, OPD Officer Martin Garza.
“I like it that you’re thinking about your mom first, bud,” Garza said.
Tanner Gilbert of the ACSO was helping his shopping buddy, Tatiana Agustin, look for presents for extended family members.
“This is very fun,” Gilbert said.
Schenck said 10 kids went shopping Saturday, and the community supported the program with some good donations.
“And the officers chip in a little bit, too,” Schenck said.
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