12/20/17
Emily Smith shows off her new snuggle bear with Megan Bennett, White County Sheriff’s Office
(Cleveland)- This Christmas will be a little brighter for several children in the area because of the generosity of caring people and businesses and the assistance of law enforcement in White County. Tuesday was, Shop With A Cop Day, a time that law enforcement personnel in the county helped children shop for Christmas.
Cheyenne Thorton, Executive Director for South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit serving Lumpkin, and White County spearheaded the project. She said this is a way to create a positive image for law enforcement and help the children at Christmas.
Each child was given a $200 Wal-Mart gift card and was instructed to use half of that to buy clothes for themselves and the other they could spend on toys or whatever they wanted.
Around a dozen children were paired with an officer from the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland and Helen Police to do the shopping.
Helen Police Chief Brian Stephens said their department earlier this month did White Christmas shopping for 98 children and they welcomed the chance to help out with this program, ” when we were approached to participate in this program we jumped at the chance, so we are getting a double dose of helping out and we are enjoying every minute of it,” said Stephens
Prior to shopping the children and the officers were treated to lunch at Chic-fil-a in Cleveland.
Lt. Donna Sims, Cleveland Police shops with Melody Lomax
Cleveland Police officer Pete Dorsey assists Tyler Ramey select a pair of pants
Emma Anderson gets help shopping from Helen Police Communications Officer Hidi Groce
Cheyenne Thorton, Executive Director for South Enotah Child Advocacy Center instructs officers prior to shopping
Lt. Arron Wieland, Cleveland Police helps Lia Saine shop
