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| State Troopers and Local Police Officers Help Kids "Shop With a Cop" in Linn, Benton, and Marion Counties | ||
| 11/29/2006 | ||
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Ms. Rita Wyatt Oregon State Police - Albany Office: (541) 967-2069 Ms. Sabrina Owings Oregon State Police - Salem Office: (503) 378-3387 ext. 215 Photograph link valid for 30 days: Source - Oregon State Police http://www.flashnews.net/images/news/ShopwithaCop.Cotter2.jpg Oregon State Police troopers, county deputies, and city police officers will be helping nearly 500 kids shop for special gifts this holiday season in Linn, Benton, and Marion counties as part of the annual "Shop With a Cop" event. 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, December 2nd, at 8:00 a.m., 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 a.m., 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 Ms. 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 Ms. 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'." 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, Target, and Wal-Mart. On Saturday, December 16th, State and local police officers in Marion County will partner with area children from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the South Salem Wal-Mart. The participating children are coming from several local programs such as DHS Foster Parent program, Marion County Housing Authority, Salem Housing Authority and Boys and Girls Club. "The youth of our society are the future so I really believe it is very important to reach out to them whenever possible," said Ms. Sabrina Owings. "'Shop With a Cop' is just one way to give a bit and gain a lot." ### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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