A lot of smiles were seen in Walmart of Eatonton last week during the Eatonton Police Department’s annual Shop with a Cop event.
Eleven police officers took 13 children from Eatonton shopping for their Christmas toys on Friday, Dec. 22. Each child had $200 to spend, and all was funded by donations from community residents and businesses, Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said.
“And on top of that, Walmart donated a bicycle for every child so they could spend their money on whatever they wanted,” Cardwell explained. “I appreciate the donations from the community, and I appreciate the officers coming in on their day off to do this.”
Officer Rebecca Meeks said she wouldn’t miss the event.
“It brings a smile to the kids’ and parents’ faces, and the kids get a good Christmas and that’s all that matters,” she said.
Meeks was shopping with Emmeitt Howell, 5, who, as they walked into the store, announced that he was going to spend his money on Hot Wheels.
“I got like 5,000 in here,” Emmett said as he jumped up and down and pointed at the toys in his shopping cart.
Parent Balanca Murphy was following as her two daughters, 10-year-old Madison and 3-year-old Sophia, shopped with EPD Clerk Tonya Thomas.
“It helped us a lot,” she said of the event. “We were just thinking the other day, did we have enough money for Christmas, so this came at the right time and helped us a lot.”
Chief Cardwell thanked all the donors as well as Walmart. He also commended Thomas for organizing the event and each of the officers for taking their day off work to spend time shopping with the children.