Here is a simple and easy way to help put a smile on a child’s face this holiday season. The Susanville Police Officer’s Association is giving Santa a hand, collecting money and taking the kids shopping at Wal-Mart for a present they can play with Christmas morning. The children will be provided with gift cards and escorted through the store by officers from the Susanville Police Department this Saturday, December 13th.
Some of the money for this incredible program was raised at the Police Officer’s Ball this fall, but the association is relying on contributions from the community to fully fund the event.
How can you help?
The Police Officer’s Association is looking for people who can volunteer to be helper elves during the Shop with a Cop event and of course any monetary contributions you make are appreciated immensely by both the organization and the kids helped by the program.
Along with shopping for presents the kids will enjoy games, treats and a visit from Santa!
Shop with a Cop is a terrific opportunity to help our local kids in need with 100% of your donation going directly to the child’s shopping spree which will be held this Saturday morning from 7:00 to 9:00. Donors are invited to come spend the morning at the store and see the looks on the faces of the children as they get to shop for Christmas.
How you make a difference.
There are already so many wonderful stories of hope and joy from the event – due to the generosity of the local Kiwanis club the Police Officer’s Association is now able to sponsor a sixteen year old girl who was trying to sell homemade cookies at her school to raise money to buy gifts for her little brother and sister.
She had been trying to sell them to her peers so she could assist her family in providing a gift to her siblings but now, thanks to our community, she and her siblings will have their own gifts for Christmas, and she no longer has to spend her lunch break trying to earn money. Instead she can be a sixteen year old kid and enjoy Christmas herself.
Susanville Police Officer Terra Avilla, one of the organizers of the Shop with a Cop program, shared another touching story this week.
Johnny, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, was nominated by his grandmother to participate in this year’s event. His mother is terminally ill, and his grandmother takes care of him and his two little sisters.
“On Thanksgiving his mother was admitted into a hospital in Reno,” explained Avilla, “and probably will never be able to leave.”
“Johnny spent the entire holiday weekend in the room with her, by her bed. Sleeping on the couch in the room, despite his mother’s protests to enjoy his break, and his time away from school. Johnny refused to leave.”
When Johnny was informed he was selected to participate in the Shop with a Cop event, instead of gladly accepting, his face became serious, and somber.
“Johnny politely asked if one of his little sisters could take his place,” said Avilla. “When I informed him that it was incredibly giving of him to forgo his own shopping spree to give his spot to one of his sisters. He stated that if he and his sisters couldn’t spend the holiday with their Mother- he at least wanted his sisters to be able to have something to look forward to, as their mother’s sickness is really making them sad.”
Due in large part to donations received from our wonderful little community Johnny AND his sisters will be able to participate!
“Thank you so incredibly much to the individuals who have already donated,” said Avilla. “Please help us fully fund the event! If we can receive sponsorship for four more children, than ALL of the kids who were nominated will be able to attend! Come on Lassen County!”
Donations or Wal-Mart gift cards can be dropped off at the Police Department, 1801 Main Street. The deadline to donate is today, December 8th.
Click here to visit the Susanville Police Officer’s Association on Facebook.
