Police host shopping spree for local kids

Ethan Hoagland

Dozens of Sweet Home kids spent Saturday morning shopping at Bi-Mart, with $100 gift cards and officers from the Sweet Home Police Department. Part of the annual Shop With a Cop program, 31 kids sought out gifts for themselves and their families this year.

On top of shopping, the more than 20 volunteers from the department and members of the Sportsman’s Holiday Court helped the kids wrap their gifts. Oregon State Police and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office pitched in as well. Volunteers also served hot chocolate and treats. Clad in blue instead of red, Santa himself stopped by to get pictures with the kids.

“They looked happy, looked like they were having a good time,” Sean Morgan, Community Liaison with the police department said of the kids. “Sometimes they buy presents for their family members, they buy themselves a little present. So, they’re spreading the love around a little bit.”

Nine officers accompanied the kids to Bi-Mart while the children bought their gifts. Kids picked out things like a remote-controlled X-92 Jetliner model plane, stuffed animals and a variety of craft kits.

Participating kids need to apply each year. According to Morgan, more than 70 kids applied this year. To give everyone a chance to shop, Morgan said the department tends to choose kids who weren’t picked the year before.

Morgan extended a special thanks to Angila Tack, of Angila Tack Services for a “sizable donation” to the Shop With a Cop program. Tack also hosted a Thanksgiving fundraiser that brought in more than $3,000 dollars of donations from the community, according to SHPD.

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