This Saturday, 100 Athens-Clarke County children will shop for presents for their families at
ACCPD’s 5th annual Shop with a Cop program.
The elementary and middle-school children were selected by Clarke County School District
advisors and ACCPD’s School Resource Officers. With a generous donation from the Athens Police
Foundation, each child can spend up to $130 on gifts for their family. “Our donors recognize the
importance of this annual event and the Foundation is pleased to provide funding for 100 children
to participate in Shop with a Cop,” said Joel Gregory, President of the Foundation. “We are happy
to be able to help provide an opportunity for children and officers to interact during this special
time of year.”
Other sponsors include Chick-Fil-A, The Classic Center, First American Bank and Trust,
Athens Transit, and our shopping host, the Walmart Supercenter on Lexington Road.
The fun begins at 8:00am at the Classic Center when the children are dropped off, paired
with a law enforcement officer or employee, and enjoy a quick breakfast while getting acquainted.
The entire group will then be transported via bus to the Walmart to shop. After making their
purchases, the children go back to the Classic Center for help wrapping their presents.
Law enforcement agencies from Athens-Clarke County participating in this year’s program
include Athens-Clarke County Police, Athens-Clarke Sheriff Deputies, Athens Probation Department,
and the University of Georgia Police Department.
“We are so grateful for the officers, employees and volunteers, along with our sponsors,
who help spread holiday cheer at this Shop with a Cop program,” said Lt. Al Radford who leads
ACCPD’s Community Oriented Policing Unit “This event really gives us a connection to the
community through it’s youngest members. We all have a wonderful time.”