CLEARLAKE— First thing Tuesday morning, before the sun had even begun to shine, happy kids lined up inside Walmart to get paired up with their “partner for a day” and shop their hearts out for the holidays. The eighth annual “Shop With a Cop” event was held in Clearlake from 7 to 11 a.m. with 200 children ranging in age 6 to 12 spending $250 each for a total of $50,000.
As an extra added bonus this year Clearlake Walmart management presented Lake County Sheriff Sgt. John Drewery with 40 vouchers for Christmas trees in case any families were in need this season. Drewery organizes the event every year, with the most officers they have ever had totaling 60 officers from 11 different agencies including every law enforcement agency in lake participating this year. Drewery shared “I only cried once this year, and that’s big for me.”
Drewery also noted how in many other counties only a few officers are able to attend while volunteers fill in the necessary spaces, but in Lake that’s not the case. Drewery said, “Every Law Enforcement in lake responded. Other places have two or three officers, in Lake it’s all cops.”
It was in true holiday fashion as groups of children arrived and first received a candy cane from a life sized gingerbread person. Perhaps a bit unsure as they were greeted by a line of uniformed officers, but barriers were broken down as the officers got 45 minutes of one-on-one time shopping with each child, allowing them ample time to get to know each kid.
Volunteer Melissa Perry helped to register arriving kids and shared, “It’s such a rewarding experience, you see these shy and timid little ones who leave with big smiles on their faces.” As mother of six, Jennifer Schmadeke patiently waited during her daughter’s shopping experience. “Getting the one-on-one time for my daughter, it’s very special for her. She was very excited when she got up this morning,” she said.
The officers ensure that each child gets a warm jacket, a pair of pants and a pair of shoes while the remaining funds are theirs to spend however they choose. Each individual kid left with the biggest of smiles and an overstuffed shopping cart, although many carts were full of items obviously not for them. Participants noted that seeing how many kids were buying Christmas gifts for siblings was touching, as Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White helped an 11-year-old girl find the right size outfit for her 1-year-old sister sharing, “It’s unbelievable seeing these kids buy for their brothers and sisters.” White has been able to attend Shop with a Cop for the past four years and will be missed at next year’s event as these are his last few days with the department.
Beginning in 2015 the Shop with a Cop program was started by Drewery with a generous donation of $10,000 allowing them to take 50 children shopping at $200 per child. Today the event has grown through dedication and fundraising to a budget of $50,000. and the ability to shop with 200 kids.
The program’s intent is to dissolve some of the stigma associated with law enforcement and build real, tangible relationships with the youth in our community. Drewery noted “The event was a huge success, not only great for the kids but it’s great for the officers as well.” Willie Meadows, who had three children participate in the event, mentioned “It’s an awesome thing, my son and both daughters are super excited. A lot of people are struggling, a lot have less, and you would really never know who. It’s wonderful and it’s a blessing.” Meadows further shared “With everything going on today with the police, this giving back to the community, it definitely shows.”
For additional photos from Tuesday’s event, turn to our Facebook page.
