Twenty-eight Eatonton children’s dreams seemed to come true Friday night at Walmart during the annual Shop With a Cop program.
Eatonton Police Department officers, as well as law enforcement officers of Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, and Newton County Sheriff’s Office, joined by Masons from the Putnam County and Monticello Masonic Lodges, were paired with children to accompany them on shopping trips throughout the store.
“It’s a blessing,” said Josh Maddox, while his six-year-old son, Khylie, shopped with EPD Officer Preston Waldroup.
“This is something the community really needs because when I was growing up, kids were scared of the police,” Maddox added. “They think all cops are bad, but that’s not the case.”
“It’s not just the Eatonton Police Department,” Waldroup noted. “We’ve got probation officers, state patrol, and others because when it comes to policing, it takes all of us working together.”
Each child had $250 to spend however they chose during the shopping spree, thanks to donations from community organizations, businesses, and individuals, said Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell.
Some children chose basic necessities such as clothing, snacks, and backpacks, while others headed straight for the video games or the toy aisles. In addition to the cash, each child received a bicycle donated by Walmart, according to Cardwell.
“My daughter is an adult, so it’s been a while since I’ve shopped with a child,” Greg Tuggle of Putnam Masonic Lodge said as he pushed a shopping cart loaded with pink toys. “But this is wonderful. It’s great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces. They love it.”
Cardwell said EPD’s Executive Assistant Tonya Thomas organized the program. He also said he was grateful to all of the officers and dispatchers for showing up to the event on their evening off and to Sgt. James Gaither for his assistance.
“In addition to the children, we were able to buy things to help six residents of Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Center as well,” Cardwell added. “So I really appreciate the community giving as they did; it went to a worthy cause.”
A fireworks show capped off the evening as the children exited the store. Eatonton’s Zaxby’s restaurant provided meals for each of the children, their parents, and all of the law enforcement officers, Cardwell said, and expressed gratitude to Randy Mason for doing that.
The funds were donated by L.O. Benton, David Hallman, Grady Jones, Colonial Arms, Chevron Station, Tito’s Precision Auto Body Shop, Fourth Quarter Package, Joe’s Roofing, Shopper’s Pharmacy, CG’s Automotive, Valero, Embry Farms, Sammy Blackwell, Papa John’s, Tasty Wings, Two Garcia’s Automotive, Howell Diesel, Reno Shop, Cornerstone at First Baptist Church, Eatonton First Baptist Church, Legacy Housing, Ace Hardware, and the Eatonton Veteran’s Thrift Store.