Families interested in participating in the 2025 Teen Sharing Tree program this Christmas may now apply for their children in the seventh through the 12th grades.
The program is based on family income levels and follows SNAP benefit guidelines, with a few exceptions made for extenuating circumstances, such as job loss.
Applications are available online at https://www.sweethomeor.gov/police/page/teen-sharing-tree-application and at Sweet Home Police Department located at 1950 Main St. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Nov. 24.
Those who wish to shop for teens are asked to visit the Police Department, take a tag from the tree, go shopping and then return wrapped gifts by 5 p.m. on Dec. 8. Depending on whether applications are submitted, tags may be available beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 5.
Sweet Home police Department will post to social media periodically with updates about how many tags are on the tree.
Shop With a Cop
Shop with a Cop will continue this year, but it is returning to its roots, serving families experiencing various potential hardships.
It is designed to involve children, ages 4 to 12, in positive interactions with police officers in their community.
Originally, the program served foster children, who often were in difficult situations involving law enforcement. In more recent years, it has been based on financial need.
Demand has grown to an unsustainable level. This has required the department to decline approximately 50 percent of applicants last year based on income or previous participation. These children are eligible for and typically also participate in the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District’s children’s Sharing Tree.
This year, school counselors have developed a list of children to invite based on their knowledge of their circumstances, which may include law enforcement contact, financial hardship or adversity. Given this, the Police Department will have no application process for Shop with a Cop.
SHOP with a Cop serves approximately 30 children annually.
SHPD children’s programs, Shop with a Cop and the Teen Sharing Tree, are funded entirely by donations, which may be given 24/7 at the dispatch window inside the Police Department.
Also, for several years, ATF Services has accepted donations for the Police Department and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District programs during a free breakfast held on Thanksgiving Day. These donations are critical to providing these programs to Sweet Home’s underprivileged children. The department thanks each of these donors.
At this time, SHPD also seeks donations of new stuffed animals, medium or smaller for the Shop with a Cop program. Donations may be dropped off at the Police Department.
For more information call (541) 367-5181 or email [email protected].