News release
WATERTOWN, NY
— As we are all so very well aware, this year has brought unprecedented challenges in many forms. Even though we have been faced with a pandemic, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office acknowledges the importance of the ‘Shop With a Cop’ program for underprivileged children in our community.
Understanding the risks involved with Covid-19 and social distancing requirements, the ‘Shop With a Cop’ program will be a little different this year in an effort to keep all the children and volunteers safe. The 2020 ‘Shop With a Cop’ program will actually be ‘SHOP BY A COP’.
The success of the program relies on the generosity of both local Walmart stores, Sam’s Club of Watertown, and other local businesses and citizens to provide a unique opportunity for local underprivileged children and their families. In years past, a first responder (Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, Correctional Officer, Firefighter, or other emergency worker) would team up with a child to provide a little extra help with Christmas shopping. This year, instead of shopping together the first responder received a Walmart gift card and went Christmas shopping on behalf of those children.
‘SHOP BY A COP’ is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th. The children will receive their gifts from Santa and our first responders at the Public Safety Building at designated times between 8:30 & noon.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the sponsors that will make this year’s ‘SHOP BY A COP’ a great success. They are: Walmart (Watertown & Evans Mills), Sam’s Club, Adams Center Volunteer Fire Department, Colonial Welding, Current Applications, Fraternal Order of Eagles Watertown Aerie 782, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Employees Locals 3089, Knowlton Technologies, North Branch Farms, Pattycakes Tire Repair, Waite Toyota, Watertown Firefighters Benevolent Association, Watertown Police Benevolent Association, Mr. George Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Hazen, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Brooks, and several anonymous donors. I am also grateful to these sponsors who are assisting with additional services: Pivot, Bren Elizabeth Photography, Kay Jewelers, Party Rentals, and Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Mustizer. Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers, as well as all of the public servants who are volunteering their off-duty time to go shopping for these kids. Thank you Correctional Officer Joe Elmer for your extraordinary commitment to this program. It would not be possible without you.
Since 2003, this program has been creating an environment for positive interactions with everlasting, happy memories and we are honored to be a part of it.”
~Sheriff Colleen O’Neill