The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for the 13th annual Shop with a Cop event. Shop with A Cop provides children with positive interaction and one-on-one time with law enforcement during the holidays. Shopping is done each year by deputies from the Sheriff’s Office along with officers from the Punta Gorda Police Department and Florida Wildlife Commission. The children are selected by their school counselors from grades 2-5.
This year, the Sheriff’s office hopes to host 125 students during the scheduled event at Wal-Mart stores throughout the county. Children chosen to participate receive a $100.00 Wal-Mart gift card to shop for themselves and family. Gifts are wrapped on site by volunteer elves from the Sheriff’s Office, Punta Gorda Police Department, the Elks, Suncoast Credit Union, Rotonda Women’s Club, & Florida Wildlife Commission. Santa Claus will be on hand for pictures. As an added bonus this year, the Conquistadors will be visiting to distribute gifts to the children as they shop.
Below is a schedule of the participating Walmart stores in Charlotte County. The community is welcome to come see the children and their excitement as they Shop with a Cop. They will be visiting with Santa and shopping between 3:30PM and 5:00PM at each location.
December 5th – Punta Gorda
December 6th – Englewood
December 12th – Murdock
December 13th – Kings Highway
The Shop with a Cop program is funded with support from our local Wal-Mart stores, as well as donations from community members. For more information, or if you wish to donate, please contact Dale Phillips in Crime Prevention at 941-258-3900 or daphillips@ccsofl.net.