“We are thrilled to bring together all these community groups to join with our police officers on this important event,” says Kathy Berry, LBPF executive director.
Shop with a Cop raises awareness of and assists economically disadvantaged children from the Long Beach area by providing a positive experience while they purchase school clothing and supplies. Participants spend time in a positive setting with local law-enforcement personnel.
Children are pre-selected (6 to 12 years of age) from ChildNet, BLAST, Long Beach Women’s Shelter, Operation Jump Start and the Children’s Clinics at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach. They are invited to be guests at the event, and each child is matched with a Long Beach Police Department officer and/or community service officer, a LBJC member or adult shopper volunteer to purchase clothing and supplies for school needs at the Target store, oftentimes the only new clothes these children receive all year.
The Assistance League of Long Beach will be providing each child with school uniforms and underwear in a school backpack.
After shopping, they will receive snacks and school supplies to put in their new backpacks. A photo booth will also be available so that children and their police shoppers may have a souvenir photo taken. Volunteers, community leaders and business sponsors will provide an arts-and-crafts area where the children can relax and have fun after shopping.
The goal this year is to provide for 100 children. Support in the form of cash or in-kind donations, which includes, but is not limited to new clothing, new shoes or school supplies. Donations can be made online at lbpolicefoundation.org. Checks should be made payable to the Long Beach Police Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 15418, Long Beach, CA 90815.
Source: LBPF
