Police in Linn And Benton Counties to Participate in Two Shop With Events

Each child has a $25.00 shopping limit and works their way around the store with a police officer to find gifts for family and friends.

OSP Lieutenant Mark Cotter with a special shopper during last years event. Photo: Oregon State Police.

(ALBANY ) - For the 12th year, Corvallis and Albany-area police officers will shop together with local disadvantaged and foster children for Christmas gifts as part of a local program called "Shop With a Cop".

Last year, 153 children shopped with state, county, and city police officers in the two very successful events while purchasing videos, clothing, toys and other special gifts.

On Saturday, at 8:00 AM, police officers from the Oregon State Police, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office, and Philomath Police Department will team with kids at the K-Mart store located at 400 NE Circle Blvd. in Corvallis.

A second event will be in Albany on Saturday, December 9th, at 7:00 AM, involving police officers from the Oregon State Police, Albany Police Department, and Linn County Sheriff's Office hooking up with kids at the Target store located at 2255 14th Avenue in Albany.

Participating children were selected by local and state family service agencies.

The event has been coordinated each year by Reita Wyatt, an Office Specialist at the OSP Albany Area Command office, and this year the goal is to help 175 children.

"I keep thinking how much I enjoy this program each year and that it is a great example of paying it forward," said Wyatt.

"Last year one of the officers told all the kids I was Mrs. Claus because I had the gift cards, candy canes, and organized the event. One of the little boys kept running up to me saying ‘Mrs. Claus, Mrs. Claus, see what I got'."

The event is sponsored mainly through donations from police officer associations, private individuals, and K-Mart, Target, and Wal-Mart.