Shop With a Cop
The Salvation Army Centennial Corps partnered with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office this past Saturday to host their first “Shop With a Cop” event that took place at the Target on 6767 S. Clinton Street. Twenty-five police officers came out to shop with fifty-six kids from the community who came with their moms, dads, grandparents and siblings. Most of the kids that participated are involved with The Salvation Army Centennial Corps social services programs.
Deputy Sheriffs from the Arapahoe Community Resources Unit and three of the ACSO Command Staff were present at the event. Sheriff Tyler S. Brown who oversees the operation, Bureau Chief Bob Stef, and Patrol Operations Head – Captain Laurie Halaba. “Every one of them were so excited to work with us and jumped right into mingling and getting to know our children and their families” said Salvation Army Officer Lieutenant Betty Vesikul. She hopes that the event will give families in the community a chance to get to know their local police department.
Each child received a $100 Target gift card to buy new supplies for school. The Centennial Corps received over $3,000 in donations from Target for the “Shop With a Cop” event. The instore Starbucks at Target also provided coffee for the Police department, The Salvation Army staff and the families.
“The event went so well, and we saw so many smiling faces from the kids, family members and police officers that were there” shared Adriana Erickson, Head of Human Resources of the Target store where the event took place. “I hope that next time we can make this an even bigger event, so we are able to help more kids in our community.”