©iStockphoto.com

Hundreds of Yamhill County children may not get presents this holiday season for a variety of reasons, many of them because of the poor economy and the high unemployment rate. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Amity, Carlton, McMinnville, Newberg-Dundee and Yamhill police departments, along with the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police, are working together to change that for as many kids as possible with a program called Shop with a Cop.

Shop with a Cop isn’t new — it’s been done in neighboring counties as well as around the nation. Children from families with few resources are treated to a shopping spree one-on-one with law enforcement officers. Gift cards provided through community donations are used to buy toys and games.

Officers encourage the children to buy presents for themselves; however, if the child wants to buy gifts for family members, that decision is honored. The goal is two-fold: to give kids a memorable holiday experience while building a positive relationship with law enforcement.

Our original target this first year was to help 25 children in need, giving each of them a $25 gift card to use with their shopping buddies. We were very encouraged when this goal was quickly met, and we consequently raised the bar, hoping to increase the number to 125 children.

The support from the community has been incredible, with donations coming from families, businesses and nonprofit organizations. A bowling fundraiser held this fall raised enough to help eight more children.

Names of the children in need are provided through our county partners, law enforcement officers, schools and word of mouth. We count on the assistance of people who know the kids and see what is happening in their lives. If the list is longer than we have funds to help, those children will be added to the sheriff’s office annual toy drive list and will receive a toy on Christmas Day. We want to reach as many as possible in our communities.

The big shopping day is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Law enforcement officers will meet at Walmart in McMinnville. The selected children will have scheduled times to meet their cops and begin shopping.

We would love to build on the success of our first year and grow the program for the future. Donations from individuals and businesses will help meet that goal. Checks made payable to VRU Shop with a Cop can be either dropped off at or mailed to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, 535 N.E. Fifth St., Room 143, McMinnville, OR 97128.

For additional information about the program, contact Shari Shaw at 503-434-7507 or shaws@co.yamhill.or.us.
“There are few things in life that bring more joy than putting a smile on the face of a child,” Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree said. “Deputies and officers get as much joy from the experience as the children do. We appreciate so much the many donors who are opening wallets and their hearts to make this Christmas unforgettable for the kids.”

Together, we can help make this Christmas and many future ones memorable for many children in our communities.

Guest writer Shari Shaw, a deputy at the Yamhill County Corrections Facility, has been with the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office for 18 months. She is responsible for bringing Shop with a Cop to the children in Yamhill County. She graduated from Western Oregon University and lives in Monmouth. She loves spending time camping, fishing and mountain biking.

Guest writer Lori Bales works in the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office as evidence custodian, records clerk and volunteer coordinator. She grew up in McMinnville and is married with two children. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and is waiting patiently for the newest John Grisham novel to come out.