Over 160 grade school kids from the Centralia area got to Shop with a Cop on Saturday.
Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says the event is going strong after more than 30 years due to strong support from the community.
“The big things we do is a golf scramble back in June and that is one of the big fundraisers we do. But area businesses and individuals that donated money to us, I know a lot of the officers walking up today had people come up and give them $5-10. The big fundraiser is the mailer we do each year.”
Whritenour says they get a good response from the six-thousand who receive the yearly mailer about the program.
This is the second year Centralia Police Chief Christopher Locke has been part of the program.
“I know the guys and gals of the department look forward to coming out every year and it puts a smile on their face. And we certainly like to see the smiles on the faces of the kids and we are happy to do it and to interact with the community.”
It was the first year Central City Police Officer Josh Tellefson participated.
“Great experience. It’s very humbling to know that there are people in town are in need. It’s not a great experience for me, but for my family I brought both my girls. It’s a joy to see the joy and happiness on the kids faces as we go through the store and pick out gifts for them. It’s just a good experience all the way around.”
In addition to officers from Centralia, Central City, State Police, and the Marion and Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, six Centralia High football players also helped. This is George Shook’s 5th year to participate.
“We got them toys, clothes, and boots if they needed them, then essentials, and then if the kids just wanted toys then we let them pick out what they want and have a good Christmas.”
The program is organized each year by the department’s Dispatch/Records Supervisor Stacey Jolliff. She contacts all of the schools to get together a list of students who would benefit from the program. They are then organized to arrive in groups on Saturday morning for the event.
Some of those helping with the Centralia Shop with a Cop program.
