By Sgt. Tim Broughton
Highlands Police Department had the privilege of taking 39 kids shopping for Christmas and the holidays last week at Walmart in Franklin.
Each year, in cooperation with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office “Shop With A Cop” program, kids from Highlands School are taken shopping by Highlands Police officers.
HPD Officers participating in Shop With A Cop at Walmart in Franklin.
Each of them is asked to buy at least one gift for someone else with their $200, but often, the kids have to be encouraged to buy at least one thing for themselves, as they want to spend all their money on gifts for their siblings and family members.
HPD Chief Andrea Holland said officers, volunteers, and kids alike all have a great time during this event.
“Each year we enjoy shopping with the kids, but something was different this year; I felt more joy than I ever have in the past,” said Chief Holland.
Children were given $200 and had to buy at least one item for someone else.
HPD would like to thank everyone who has donated through the years to the Shop with a Cop program; without your donations, this event would not have been possible.
HPD also wants to give a huge shout-out to the Highlands Episcopal Church of the Incarnation for donating coats, hats, and gloves to each kid and helping with the event, Franklin Walmart for hosting us for the shopping, and each of our volunteers who came to help the kids pick stuff out.
Pictured at the top of the article are children having a blast at Shop With A Cop.