When Santa and his elves get busy this time of year, the Eatonton Police Department steps in to help. This year, 19 children in Eatonton had the unique opportunity to Shop with a Cop at Walmart on Friday, Dec. 20.
Each child, accompanied by a law enforcement officer, was allotted an undisclosed amount of money to spend on whatever they chose.
The decision-making process seemed pretty easy initially, as some of them tossed everything that caught their eye into their shopping carts. But as their money was used up, priorities had to be made, and they began putting items back in favor of grander items. Others, including younger children, avoided the toys altogether and instead shopped for clothing and coats for themselves.
“It was really nice to get things that I really wanted because usually I can’t get it because it’s too expensive,” 12-year-old Malory Mays said.
Malory has nine other siblings at home, five of whom were also at or participating in the event, Eatonton Police Officer Blaze Waldroup explained as he shopped with Malory.
“This means a lot to me, considering I was a child who didn’t have a whole lot growing up,” Malory’s mom, Haley Cartett, said.
EPD Sgt. James Gaither spearheaded the event, which was organized with the help of Police Chief Howell Cardwell’s Executive Assistant, Tonya Thomas.
“I love doing it,” Thomas said while waiting in the cash register line with the child she shopped with. “It brings joy to my heart that the police department can make these kids’ Christmas, and it all happened with the community's help.”
Cardwell thanked the local individuals and businesses that donated to pay for the shopping sprees. The festivities also included a DJ playing music outside the store, food before and after the event, and fireworks.
Members of other law enforcement agencies that are part of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety were also on hand with their safety van and brochures explaining seatbelt awareness, and a couple of them also shopped with a child.
“It’s my first time to do this,” Newton County Sheriff’s Deputy and GOHS officer Patrick Gilbert said. “It was a lot of fun, but it really got me that some of them just wanted clothes more than anything. They didn’t want toys; they wanted clothes. That says a lot.”