From staff reports
The Forest County Sheriff’s Department will hold its eighth annual Shop with a Cop this year with some modifications due to COVID-19.
The program joins underprivileged children with law enforcement officials who help children spend donated money on Christmas gifts, especially items the children need.
Sheriff Bob Wolfgang said because it would be about impossible to comply with social distancing requirements, the sheriff’s department and officers from other departments will not be able to take the children shopping in person. Instead each child who qualifies will receive a Walmart gift card.
He said it’s a disappointment that the officers can’t take the kids shopping this year. It’s a win-win for the children and the officers.
“Anyone who came to help loved it,” he said.
Wolfgang said the focus of the program is buying children items they need such as coats, socks, winter gloves, etc.
“Hopefully the parents do what’s right. I think most will,” he said.
“The amount of donations raised goes up and down with the number of kids we get each year. We have never left anyone behind,” he said.
The Shop with a Cop event is a non-profit program with 100% of donations going to those in need.
Donations can been mailed to the department at 526 Elm St., P.O. Box 9, Tionesta, Pa. 16353.
Donors should make a notation on their checks that the funds are for Shop with a Cop.