Officers Fulfill Holiday Wish Lists

PRINCE FREDERICK - 12/16/2008

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By Kristen Leitch

Christmas came early for some youngsters in Calvert County this past weekend. The Calvert County Sheriff's Office, Fraternal Order of Police and the Calvert County Optimist Clubs helped to sponsor the Third Annual Calvert Shop with a Cop on Saturday, Dec. 13 in Prince Frederick. Local families experiencing economic hardships can't always provide their children with their own celebration of Christmas. The Shop with a Cop program joined these underprivileged children with local police officers, providing the children with money to shop for Christmas presents for their families and themselves. The holiday fantasy began as officers picked up the 72 children at their homes and transported them to Outback Steakhouse in Prince Frederick for mouth watering breakfast. After everyone's tummies were full, the officers paraded up Route 4 with sirens and lights on, while the children received a police escort to Wal-Mart where they were met by members of Calvert County Optimist Clubs for their shopping experience. The children were each given a $100 allowance for shopping, along with a 10% discount provided by Wal-Mart. One child had on his list, earrings for his mom, socks for his brother, an hot cocoa for his sister because she wasn't feeling well. The tyke did end up getting a new pair of sneakers for himself. Once the shopping carts were full and Christmas lists were checked off, the officers and children returned to Outback to wrap their gifts and more breakfast was served. "This program is truly a blessing," said Sgt. Keith Hicks. President of Calvert Shop with a Cop, Teresa Evans said, "Seeing the expressions on the kid’s faces, is the true meaning of Christmas. The Calvert Shop with a Cop program was introduced to Calvert County by Janet and John Bateman of Lusby. The couple had volunteered with St. Mary's for seven years before bringing the program to Calvert. To make a donation to this program, make a check payable to: Calvert Shop with a Cop, P.O. Box 81, Prince Frederick, Md. 20678.

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Comment On This Story!

trophywife 12/16/2008 at 1:06 PM Great Article! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I'm so glad that Calvert County is stepping up like that! Reply to This Comment

motherof2 12/16/2008 at 3:06 PM Merry Christmas! I love to read stories like this, especially this time of year! Merry Christmas to everyone! Reply to This Comment

Truth_Teller 12/17/2008 at 9:32 AM Calvert Genius Somebody please tell the Calvert County cop to help the kid turn his jersey around to the right side.... it is on BACKWARDS!!!!!!! wow Reply to This Comment

firefly 12/17/2008 at 11:06 AM Reply to Truth_Teller: only you it made a cute picture.... only you could find something to complain about in this story you are such a jerk... great story...thanks to the calvert sheriffs deputies who took the kids shopping..

NotBornHere 12/18/2008 at 11:44 AM Reply to Truth_Teller: re: firefly Nah, I bet I can too. Something like "It's always great to go through the checkout line when the guy you are with has a gun". You gotta admit you almost laughed on that. And I agree with you firefly ... it is a cute picture. Merry CHRISTmas to the Calvert County Shop with a Cop participants. Thanks for everything you are doing to help. And I promise I will try and be better next year. Just remember: I said "try".

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