It’s almost Christmastime and time for Shop With A Cop.
Shop With A Cop is a program for Macon County children who would have little or no Christmas. This program was founded by former Sheriff Robbie Holland and his wife Marci after he had arrested a mother of three girls just before Christmas. The Hollands helped provide Christmas for the girls and then started SWAC.
Franklin Sheriff Brent Holbrooks has continued SWAC.
Children of Macon County are taken to Walmart, given a $200 gift card and Shop With A Cop. This helps the children know Cops are not the bad guys. Some of the children have a family member in jail or ones who have had run-ins with law enforcement. Now many who have participated in SWAC have a long lasting and positive relationship with “their Cop.”
Children are to get a gift for themselves and a gift for someone else. However, because of inflation and hard times many of the children only get necessities for the home.
Last year a child told the officer she was shopping with that she only wanted blankets for every one in the family so they could stay warm over the winter months. Another child only shopped for warm clothing and shoes to help her not be so cold during the winter.
The Church of the Incarnation in Highlands brings coats, hats and gloves, donated by church members, for each of the Highlands children who are chosen to shop. These are given to the children just before they shop with “their Cop.” Many are so thrilled with these items they wear them while they shop. This generous donation helps with the amount they have to spend on other items.
The number of children for Highlands last year doubled and each year the number of those in need throughout Macon County increases.
Donations are needed to help these children who would have little or no Christmas.
Please consider donating to help the children enjoy a Warm and Merry Christmas. Please send your donations to: Caroline Cook, P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741 or drop a check by the Highlands Police Department. Make checks out to Shop With A Cop or SWAC. Donations are tax deductible.
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