Elizabethton Police Department participates in Shop with a Cop for local children

The program has grown from 37 kids in 2022 to 71 this year who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to have a nice Christmas if it wasn’t for the generosity of donors who gave nearly double what they did in 2022 as over $12,000 was raised this year from $6,000 in 2022.

The Elizabethton Police Department sold t-shirts as part of their fundraising efforts as well as taking donations from individuals and churches. Many other events were held including one at Kingsport Motor Speedway that county SRO Frank Peters helped organize.

After getting their tummies full of pizza and cake at Elizabethton High School, the children were escorted with lights blazing as law enforcement cars led the two school buses full of excited children to Walmart.

They were dropped off near the lawn and garden center where their partnering police officer was waiting to go shopping with them

From the toy section to electronics as well as from the coat and glove section to pajamas, the young people had a $200 gift card that they were to spend on themselves only.

However, some might have snuck a gift or two for their siblings or parents as well.

The event exceeded expectations and accomplished what it was meant to and that was to bring the spirit of Christmas to those who otherwise might have had a blue Christmas.