'Shop with a Cop' 2010 (Clackamas County Sheriff's Office)

The Clackamas County Peace Officers' Benevolent Foundation ( www.ccpobf.org/ ) co-hosted its annual "Shop with a Cop" charitable event on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Clackamas Wal-Mart (10000 SE 82nd Ave. Happy Valley, OR. 97086).
During "Shop with a Cop," local law-enforcement officers locate children whose families have had some enforcement contact with police, present those children with gift cards, and then shop with them at the Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart provided a separate check-out area for the event -- wrapping all the gifts for the kids and supplying gift wrap, ribbon and tags. It was an opportunity for police and kids to get to know one another; any concerns the kids may have had about police are often changed for the better.
The North Clackamas School District brought 50 children and Molalla P.D. brought 10 children; Canby P.D. will be bringing a group of children with them, as well. These children will each receive a $100 Wal-Mart gift certificate and will be "assigned" their very own law enforcement officers to accompany them during their shopping sprees.
ABOUT 'SHOP WITH A COP'
"Shop with a Cop" helps bridge relationships between children and the police. These children are specifically chosen because their families may have experienced prior law-enforcement activity with police -- creating a significant impact on the child. Witnessing the arrest of a loved one can cause many youngsters to harbor strong negative feelings towards law-enforcement. "Shop with a Cop" presents an opportunity to identify with those children and pair them together with a law-enforcement officer in a positive situation -- shopping for Christmas presents.
Once again, Wal-Mart has graciously donated $1,000 to the event -- in addition to providing Wal-Mart staff and all necessary wrapping paper.
Along with Wal-Mart's generosity, the event would not be possible without the Clackamas County Benevolent Foundation's support -- provided by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Canby Police Department, Molalla Police Department, West Linn Police Department, and public generosity. All had a major hand in contributing financially and physically to this event.
One member of this supportive community is Neil Hughes. Mr. Hughes is a mortgage specialist who helps bring awareness to the foundation and regularly contributes himself. This past Tuesday, Nov. 30, Neil Hughes donated $500, which will support five more fortunate children. Thank you, Neil Hughes!
DONATIONS WELCOME
All members of the community are more than welcomed to participate in this event by donating any amount of money in the form of check or money order made out to CCPO Benevolent Foundation, P.O. Box 426 Oregon City, OR 97045.
If you prefer, for your convenience, your donations will be accepted at any of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office stations.
ABOUT THE CCPOBF
The Clackamas County Peace Officers Benevolent Foundation is a (tax-eductable) non-profit charitable organization that assists police officers and their families in Clackamas County when an officer is injured or killed. The Foundation also works closely with programs dedicated to helping at-risk children. The Foundation has worked with Lot Whitcomb Elementary School on several projects, all helping kids who live in the Overland Park area of Clackamas County.