Donations sought for Othello Shop With a Cop
Othello Police Department officer Rafael Vargas (left) discusses gift possibilities with his shopping buddy Addy Martinez during the 2021 Shop With a Cop. Donations are being solicited for the 2022 Shop With a Cop.
File photo
OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department is looking for monetary donations to help bring a little Christmas cheer to some Othello children.
Donations for the department’s Shop With a Cop program can be dropped off at the OPD office, 500 E. Main St.. People who can’t make it to the office can call 509-488-3314 to make arrangements to donate.
Othello Police Chief Phil Schenck said Shop With a Cop 2022 got a boost from Adams County Fire District 5, whose cooks won about $2,000 in the Chili Cook-Off at the Othello Fair in September. The prize money is donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.
“The fire department donated the winning money to Shop With a Cop,” Schenck said.
Shop With a Cop pairs children and their families with law enforcement officers for an afternoon of Christmas shopping. The children are chosen with the help of Othello School District officials.
The OPD works to make it a special occasion.
“They’re kids that could use that helping hand,” Schenck said. “We tell them to bring their shopping list, and an appetite.”
The day starts with a pizza party. Then the officers drive in procession, lights flashing and sirens wailing, and take a couple of laps around the Othello Walmart parking lot before the shopping starts.
“We make a big deal out of it, where they are the star of the show,” Schenck said.
The children receive a gift card and a personal shopper, and buy presents for family and friends.
“Most of them will spend every dime they get on anybody but themselves,” Schenck said. “It’s … it’s amazing,”
Othello residents have been very supportive of Shop With a Cop, Schenck said, but inflation has had an impact on toys and gifts, just like everything else.
“I’ve had people walk up to me in the grocery store and hand me money,” he said. “Every one of us puts some of our money into it, too.
“We had to increase how much money we spend per kid, though,” he said. “Prices have gone up.”
Schenck said Shop With a Cop is always an enjoyable day.
“It’s going to be fantastic this year,” he said.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at education@columbiabasinherald.com.