The Salem Fraternal Order of Police held its Shop with a Cop program over the weekend.
FOP President Tyler Rose says the program is possible due to the generosity of the community that made donations to the program now in its sixth year.
“This year we had about 60 kids, about average for us. 100% of donations are given by people from the community. We let the schools pick the kids. So we solicit from the schools every year and they give us a list picked by the teachers of families who may be in need. They provide that to us, and we have the kids show up to Wal-Mart here and get them taken care of.”
Rose says most of the officers came out on their time off to be part of the program. For the first time this year, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies were invited to participate. Rose expects to see more cooperative efforts in the future.
Salem Grade School Resource Officer Ryan Meador with one of the participants.
Salem Deputy Police Chief Susan Miller helps one of the kids pick out gifts.
One of the participants in the shop with a cop program wth three Salem officers shopping with her and some of the 59 other participants.
Many of the Salem Police Department and Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies involved in Salem’s Shop with a Cop Program.
