Fundraising is underway for the fourth annual Shop with a Cop, which is spearheaded by the Gastonia Police Foundation.
Shop with a Cop will be held on Saturday, Dec. 15 to help youth in our community have a joy-filled Christmas season and build positive relationships with police officers. The event starts with breakfast with Santa at the Gastonia Police Department for the 50 participating youth. Then there’s shopping with uniformed officers at Target. Participating children are selected by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Gaston, and each child has $250 to spend on items such as clothing, shoes, pajamas, school supplies and even a toy.
“We want this year’s Shop with a Cop event to be great like last year’s,” said David Ferguson, Gastonia Police Foundation president. “Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated.”
Christmas ornaments are for sale again this year to raise money for Shop with a Cop. Paper ornaments are $5 each and collectible ornaments, which are new this year, cost $20. Purchases can be made at the GPD front desk. Donations can be made online at gastoniapolicefoundation.org or by mailing checks payable to the Gastonia Police Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 336, Gastonia, NC 28053. Please indicate on your donation “Shop with a Cop 2018.”
The GPF’s Board of Directors include: Anne Schenk, vice president; Steve Driscoll, treasurer; Steven Long, secretary; Jay Falls; Billy BouKather; David Conner; Chris Tolbert; Mike Gibson; Clay Gibson, Wesley Styers; Gary Johnson, Chris Polen, Quinten Shular, Sheree Pruett, David Masters, Bob Spencer and Capt. Mike Lari, executive director.