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| | | (BOB PEPALIS/www.northfulton.com)Janie Gibson gives Milton firefighter Jason Cantrell a big hug after he helped her shop.
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December 27, 2007
Eighty children received some holiday cheer with help from Alpharetta and Milton police officers and firefighters Dec. 12 in the annual Shop with a Cop event.
The Windward Parkway Wal-Mart hosted the holiday shopping experience, adding a $10 gift card to the $100 given to each child from the two cities' Public Safety Departments.
More than 100 volunteers, including the public safety officers and other community members, served as personal shoppers for the children, helping pick out gifts and keeping track of how much everything cost. More than a few of the volunteers pulled money out of their own wallets and purses when the gift totals were just a bit higher than $110.
Quite a few children spent part of their holiday gift money on their parents and siblings, even buying clothes for brothers or sisters. The children were chosen based on need. For many of the children, Christmas presents weren't likely without the event.
Alpharetta Officer Jim Little, CEO of the Alpharetta Police Athletic League, said more officers were at the event than he can ever remember seeing.
Glenn Schulman, chairman of the PAL board, said Shop-With-a-Cop is a tremendous way for the Public Safety Department to work with the local community.
Milton's new Fire Department even turned one fire engine into a delivery truck, delivering a couple of bikes to the homes of children who bought them during the event.
"I think this is one of the most worthwhile things we do," he said.
Wal-Mart store manager Jim Smith said his store is open 365 days a year, but two days are the very best for the store: Clark Howard's visit in the Christmas Kids Campaign to collect gifts for children in foster care, and the Shop with a Cop event.
"It's made a lot of kids happy," he said.
Shop with a Cop was funded through donations from individuals and local businesses, including: Wal-Mart , Alpharetta Rotary, North Fulton Rotary, Team Chevrolet, the David Spradlin family, Mike and Pam Wagner, Mike Mudd and associates, Debbie Walker, Lee Chadwick, Terri Osborne, Nicki Magee, Fancy Pantry, Cindy Green, Alpharetta Golden Age Club, Atlanta Motor World, Security Bank, George Venti, Charles Goldgeirer, Colin O'Conner, American Trust Bank, Gary George, Christine Moeckel, John Monson, Debbie Daviddorff, Ron Wallace, Albers Enterprises, Creative Marketing Strategies, North Metro Miracle League, Bill Lusk, Ken McClain and Gary Cann.
Many donations were made anonymously, including several during the event. One gentleman handed a volunteer $50, while another turned his own gift card over to another volunteer.
Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood helped pick out a bike.
Antoine Galloway finds a dinosaur to his liking.
Jessica chose a personal favorite, a My Little Pony doll.
Picking out the right gift is serious business.
This young man may have gotten inspiration for his future.
A camera will provide many more memories.
Janie Gibson gives Milton firefighter Jason Cantrell a big hug after he helped her shop.
Milton police officer John Dancsecs, right, advises Nicholas, with the help of Police Explorer Colin Earles, left.
Bill Lusk and Karen Thurman showed they take the term public servant seriously.
A tour of an electronic guitar catches this young shopper's eye. Above, Jerome Woodard checks out a video game.
- www.northfulton.com
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