TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

December 22, 2011 was "Shop With A Cop" day in our town. It was posted on face book by our sheriff and there were 212 photos. Seems it was a very positive and happy day for all involved.

The 168 children who shopped with a cop went home with things they would have not gotten if not for this program. There were photos of children with bikes, computers, clothes and toys of all kinds and the children were of all ages. Hard for me to believe that there are that many families in need at this time of year in our little town.

Times are rough all over our country. Some will not even have a meal if they do not go to the shelters on Christmas day. Our community Center is opening up with volunteers to cook and serve those who would not have a Christmas dinner.

It breaks my heart when I see kids and families doing without any time of the year. We do not have people living under bridges here but we do have one man who sleeps on benches because he wants to. His name is Rockie and he has been offered help and all he wants is give him money, no clothes or food and no paying for him to stay in a motel for a week. He only wants money and when he gets it he gets drunk and does something that gets him a week or two at the local jail.

It is mostly the kids that get to me and what a joy it was to see the photo's of all these kids and cops at our local walmart at one time shopping for special gifts and thanking the cops who they shopped with.

Also, Wendy's, Burger King, Pizza Factory and McDonalds had open house for the cops and kids. Free meals for all who participated. This included the parents of the children also.

It was reported that this is the 14th annual shop with a cop here and it was by far the best. The money comes from contributors who give what they can and also some businesses give a large donation to this even though their business is not part of the store that gets shopped in. They just want to help those in need.

I just wanted to share what a joy it is to live in a community like this. I think shop with a cop is in a lot of other states too. The cops do not get paid that day to wear their uniforms and drive these kids to walmart in a police car which is a thrill for a lot of them. They spend the whole day doing this. A 20 hour shift as with that many kids they do not all go at one time. 

I hope you and your family are fortunate enough to not need these services and have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas. So when you say grace on Christmas day before you have a beautiful and delicious meal please pray for those in need, be it health, food, shelter or just a toy for a child.

From me and mine Merry Christmas to you and yours. Remember the reason for the season.

Just a note that I will be having an after Christmas blow out sale at http://ola.com/store/chateycathey  so stop by to see what I am losing money on just to be able to clear out a room.