Wade Savolt and Oregon State Trooper Loren Linhart, discuss Christmas gift options Saturday morning, Dec. 6, during the annual Shop With a
Cop activity.
The annual event pairs local law enforcement officers with children from the community whose families have faced particular adversity during
the past year.
At left, Police Chief Jason Ogden, right, ponies up some gift cards to pay for purchases selected by Cheyenne Bain at BiMart as store Manager Seth Peterson. Children had $100 to spend on themselves and their family members for Christmas.
Law enforcement officers who participated included two Linn County Sheriff’s deputies, two state troopers, four officers from Sweet Home Police Department and Sweet Home Community Services Officer Jennifer Gaspard, who is a retired sheriff’s deputy.
Approximately a dozen local community members, including Sportsman’s Holiday Queen Natalie Conn, volunteered at the event. Funding is provided by donations from the community, the largest of which come from ATF Services’ Thanksgiving breakfast, at which participants donate to the event as they arrive for food. Also, some proceeds will benefit the Sweet Home High School unified basketball team.