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Rotary Club of Highlands Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Shop With A Cop
Issue: Whats News
Dave O’Harra, President of Rotary Club of Highlands; Caroline Cook, Shop With a Cop Fundraising Coordinator and longtime supporter; and Brent Holbrooks, Macon County Sheriff. Not pictured: Chief Andrea Holland and Captain Leah McCall
Rotarian and Police Chief Andrea Hollands hosted the October 24 Rotary meeting which focused on Shop With A Cop, a program designed to foster positive relationships between police officers and children in Macon County. The Chief introduced Highlands officer Captain Leah McCall, who gave a presentation about her involvement in SWAC since its inception saying “it’s been a blessing to assist Macon County children who otherwise would have little or no Christmas.”
Sheriff Brent Holbrooks also participated in the program noting that “I’m so proud of the way the Shop With A Cop program has grown, despite the challenges of Covid. This year we expect over 200 children will be able to shop for their families and themselves, with the help of police officers and members of the community.”
Holbrooks introduced Caroline Cook who, along with her husband Jodie, have supported Shop With A Cop since 2007 starting with SWAC Rotary Bingo. Jodie, a longtime member and past President of the Rotary Club of Highlands, was on-board with the idea from the very beginning. And his wife Caroline was with him all the way.
“I loved the idea of the program,” says Caroline , “but fundraising was an important necessity since police officers can’t ask for money, because of their role as public servants. It didn’t take long before I became a ‘street walker’ for Shop With A Cop – going up and down Main Street, asking merchants to join in this effort!”
“Shop with a Cop wouldn’t be possible without our generous partners like the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands which provides winter coats, hats and gloves for each child. We’re grateful to Sheriff Holbrooks for recognizing the impact of inflation so now every child is given $200 to spend.”
Caroline smiled when she said “I can’t forget to thank my street walkers – members of the Mountain Garden Club. They’ve been so helpful raising funds for the last five years to be sure these kids and their families have a happy Christmas!”
Additional contributions for Shop With A Cop are needed and can be dropped off at the Highlands Police Station or mailed to Caroline Cook, P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741 For more information contact:
Caroline Cook – josephkcook@ gmail.com, 828-526-2742.
