Ten Gulf Shores youth received a unique ride after school Dec. 13. The Gulf Shores Police picked the youth up from school and escorted them to Walmart Gulf Shores with lights and sirens for a Christmas shopping spree.
The Gulf Shores Police Association's Shop with a Cop program is in its fifth year and the program is the organization's largest outreach project. The association began the event as a way to give back to the community they serve but also to start building positive relationships with children in the community. With the help of school counselors from Gulf Shores City Schools, the association chooses children and teenagers that could benefit from a positive one-on-one experience with law enforcement.
Like many events in 2020, Shop with a Cop was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it did not stop the association from providing Christmas for 10 families. The in-person shopping element was eliminated, and the association shopped for the families and delivered the gifts.
"This year we were so excited to have Shop with a Cop in person. Last year we still provided for 10 families and that was great, but really, it's about the interaction with the officers and the children that we want to have every year," said Jenna Darby, Gulf Shores Police Association member.
Gulf Shores's operated their Shop with a Cop a little different from most departments. The shopping portion of the event is not geared toward buying gifts for the children participating. Instead, the children buy gifts for members of their family. In the days after the shopping event association members shop for all the children that participate and those gifts are delivered Christmas morning as a surprise.
This year it only took the children a few hours to fill their carts with gifts for their family with the help of off-duty Gulf Shores Police and Correction officers and their families. After checking out, the group headed to the Gulf Shores Police training room located at the city hall complex for pizza and gift wrapping. The officers then took the children home with a large bag of gifts to put under the tree for their family.
The Gulf Shores Police Association raises funds throughout the year from various sources including officer participation dues, profits from T-shirt and sticker sales and donations from generous local organizations and residents. This year, the association held its first golf tournament and raised over $10,000. The association also received a $2,500 grant from Walmart.
"Our Gulf Shores Walmart is a huge help. They remind us to apply for the grant, they provide gift wrapping supplies and make the experience special for the kids," Darby said.
If you would like more information on the Gulf Shores Police Association, Shop with a Cop or to donate, visit gulfshorespoliceassociation.com.