(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
Shop with a Cop
Written By: Caroline Cook | Issue: 2021/11 – November
The compassionate side of local law enforcement shines in the annual Shop With a Cop effort. If you’d like to help brighten the holidays for local children, send your contributions to Caroline Cook at P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741 or drop a check by the Highlands Police Department.
Many years ago, Macon County Sheriff Robbie Holland started Shop With A Cop in Franklin.
He’d arrested a mother of three young girls right before Christmas and knew the girls would not have any presents for Christmas. He and his wife Marcie purchased gifts and left them on the girls’ front porch late on Christmas Eve.
After this Sheriff Robbie learned of SWAC and this much-needed program was started in Franklin.
A few years later, when Bill Harrell became Police Chief of Highlands, he and Sheriff Holland decided to include Highlands and Otto.
Shop With A Cop provides Christmas for children who would have little or no Christmas. Each child participating receives a $100 gift card to spend at Walmart in Franklin.
The children are to buy something for themselves and something for someone else – the remaining money may be spent as the child pleases.
One shopping experience was shared by Alice Nelson, the wife of Officer Scott Nelson.
This couple went shopping with two brothers, 6 and 7 years old. They also had a baby brother at home living with their grandparents, who were suffering very badly themselves. Each of the boys only wanted to get food and necessities for the home.
The Nelsons were able to talk them into buying something for themselves. The Nelsons’ son G was able to help the boys shop for “cool clothes” and toys.
After speaking with another officer, the Nelsons found out the boys had no winter clothes or shoes. The Nelsons took them back for these items. They then purchased a crockpot for Grandma so she could make warm meals for the family. A box of candies and slippers were purchased for Grandpa and clothes for the baby. They also bought much-needed food and necessities.
In the past, children were asked not to buy necessities for the home. However, in determining this need was great among the children who were shopping, a few years ago this was changed, and the children could make these purchases.
With Covid last year it was decided that the children would shop with a Cop individually at various times.
Please consider a donation to help these children who would have little or no Christmas. You may mail your check to me, Caroline Cook, at P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741 or drop the check by the Highlands Police Department. Make your check out to Shop With A Cop or SWAC. Your donation is tax-deductible.
