Local Cops Hope to Make the Holidays Bright for Disadvantaged Youth

Oregon State Police employee Sabrina Owings believes this is a great opportunity to interact with children whom may only have had a negative experience with law enforcement.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore. ) - State troopers, county deputies, and city police officers are expecting to help over 500 kids shop for special gifts this holiday season in Linn, Benton and Marion counties as part of their area annual "Shop With a Cop" event at three locations in December.

For the 13th 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, 176 children shopped with state, county, and city police officers in two very successful events while purchasing videos, clothing, toys and other special gifts.

Long-time "Shop With a Cop" organizer, Ms. Reita Wyatt, looks forward to these annual events along with area police officers. "Without the outpouring support from the community and law enforcement agencies, these events would not be possible each year," said Wyatt.

On Saturday, December 1st, 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 8th, at 7:30 AM, police officers from the Oregon State Police, Albany Police Department, and Linn County Sheriff's Office team with kids at the Target store located at 2255 14th Avenue in Albany.

Participating children at the first two events were selected by local and state family service agencies. 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. The event is sponsored mainly through donations from police officer associations, private individuals, and K-Mart and Target stores.

The third event, the Mid-Valley "Shop with a Cop" sponsored by the nonprofit organization, Law Enforcement for Youth, is scheduled for Saturday, December 15th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the South Salem Walmart located at 5250 SE Commercial Street SE in Salem.

While utilizing $25.00 gift cards made available through donations and grants, troopers, deputies, and officers from Salem Police Department, Keizer Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police plan to shop with 400 children this year.

The children that are invited to shop are from several local assistance agencies; Salem and Marion County Housing Authority, Salem and Keizer Police Department community schools, Children of Incarcerated Parents, Women's and Children's Crisis Centers, and Catholic Community Services.

Troopers, deputies and officers along with several professional staff from all involved agencies will shop with the children. There will also be a visit from Santa giving out candy canes and taking a minute for a photograph.

Oregon State Police employee Sabrina Owings believes this is a great opportunity to interact with children whom may only have had a negative experience with law enforcement. "It's such a great sight to see so many officers, troopers and deputies working together with the community children. It's so gratifying to end the day with such a warm heart for all you efforts. I, along with many others look forward to this event each year," said Owings.

Donations to help the Marion County-area "Shop With a Cop" event can be sent to Law Enforcement for Youth (LEY) at 4676 Commercial Street SE #374, Salem, Oregon 97302. For more information: www.lawenforecementforyouth.com