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Santa Has a Badge
Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: December 2024
Shop With A Cop, which brings holiday cheer to a host of local children, is thriving thanks to a compassionate law enforcement community and the generosity of a committed citizenry.
December is here, and it’s time for Shop With A Cop. SWAC is a heartwarming way to provide Christmas for the children of Macon County who would otherwise have little or no Christmas. Each child is given a $200.00 Walmart gift card.
Officers happily take the children on their shopping trip where they’re also able to visit with Santa. This allows the children to see them as friends and not someone to be leery of.
Not only does this program make Christmas brighter for so many but it impacts their lives in ways you wouldn’t imagine.
Take, for instance, the little girl who told Santa she knew he couldn’t bring her what she wanted for Christmas which was to bring her Mommy home from jail. Santa agreed he couldn’t do this, but he told the child, “The next time you go visit your mother in jail, you tell her to get her act together so she can come home for Christmas.” Crying, the little girl said, “I don’t have any way to go to see my Mommy.” Sheriff Robbie Holland overheard this and said, “I will take you to see your mother right now”.
Another child expressed to Santa with tears in his eyes that nobody loved him. Santa gently asked the little boy who brought him today and the little boy shrugged. Santa pointed to the officer and his wife who were shopping with him and reminded him that they cared enough to bring him here and that in addition to enjoying spending time with him, they also gave money to be sure he got his gift card. The little boy left with a smile on his face.
The Church of the Incarnation in Highlands collects coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for the children who participate in SWAC from Highlands. Parishioners select an ornament with the children’s size and age to purchase these items.
The impact of Hurricane Helene makes the need even more urgent this year. Parents are facing additional hardships. These children often choose necessities for their families and homes with their gift cards, and this seems particularly likely this year.
Please consider a donation to help ensure a merry Christmas for these children and know that these sweet children often use their gifts to spread joy to their entire family. Seldom will one gift impact so many in so many positive ways.
Checks payable to SWAC or Shop With A Cop can be mailed to Caroline Cook at P. O. Box 2785 Highlands, NC 28741, or dropped by the Highlands Police Department. Your donation is tax-deductible.
