The Centralia Police Department met with families at the Centralia Wal-Mart on Saturday for the annual Shop with a Cop program, providing Christmas presents for nearly 200 local children. Lieutenant Steve Whritenour, who has participated in Shop with a Cop for over 20 years, says the program has grown over time.
“This program has grown from shopping for 20 to 25 children and spending on average 25 to 50 dollars per child, to what it is today that we’re going to shop for nearly 200 children today and spend 125 to 150 dollars per child,” Whritenour said. “We’ll end up spending about $25,000 by the time this is all said and done.”
Whritenour said this event takes a large, combined volunteer effort to put together, and it would not be possible without the work of records manager Stacey Joliff, donations from members of the community, and personnel from nearby agencies.
“We have a lot of different agencies that have come up and helped us,” Whritenour said. “Illinois State Police, Central City Police Department, Wamac Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois Department of Corrections, Lifestar Ambulance. The Centralia football players come up and help us out as well… The volunteers bring their families, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, they come out and help bring this together.”
Whritenour says 100 percent of donations made to Shop with a Cop go into the program, allowing it to continue growing year after year.
Centralia officer Beggs Christmas shopping with a family.
Officer Francois at Centralia Shop with a Cop.
Officer Barbee at Centralia Shop with a Cop.
