Children of Emanuel County were treated by first responders Monday evening at the 13th annual Shop with a Cop event. The event was held at the Swainsboro Walmart with 50 kids in attendance after 222 applications were submitted to participate.
The goal of the annual Shop with a Cop is to give back to children of the community that may not be as fortunate as others. The application process begins in early November. The children picked to be a part of the event get the chance to shop for Christmas presents with Emanuel County’s very own first responders.
The organizations in attendance included Emanuel County Sheriff’s Department, Swainsboro Police Department, Swainsboro Fire Department, Georgia State Patrol, and Georgia Southern Police Department. Each first responder was assigned to a child and the child was allowed to pick out their own gifts.
“I have been a part of Shop with a Cop personally since about 2016,” stated Ashley Riner, Police Chief of Swainsboro Police Department. “The best part about it is the happiness and the smiles from the kids.”
Shop with a Cop is not only enjoyed by the children, but also heartwarming for all first responders involved. The connection with the children is something words cannot describe.
“I hope the children know the community loves them,” stated Emanuel County Sheriff’s Deputy Jamey Chalker. “They can pick out anything they want without asking.”
The children were given an hour of shopping at the local Walmart Supercenter following a pizza party with the first responders and a ride-along in police vehicles and firetrucks.
“I have participated in this event for five years,” stated Investigator Tyler McCarty. His biggest hope throughout all of this is that the children do not see police as bad people but are here to protect and take care of them.
As this event continues for years to come, all those involved hope to reach out to more kids and help make a difference in their lives.
