LA PLATA, Md. — Officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office escorted 68 local students to the Waldorf Walmart on Dec. 11 with lights and sirens activated, marking the 18th annual Shop With A Cop event that provided holiday gifts and essentials to children from low-income families.
The program, organized by the sheriff’s Community Services Division, paired participants with patrol and corrections officers, along with personnel from the La Plata Police Department, Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Natural Resources Police and Charles County Animal Control. Students gathered first at the La Plata Elks Lodge for breakfast before the convoy departed. Each child received a $200 allocation, with portions directed toward practical items such as clothing alongside toys and family presents.
All photos courtesy of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office
After shopping, the group returned to the Elks Lodge for lunch, gift wrapping and seasonal activities, including a visit from Santa Claus in past iterations. The event concluded with ice cream treats donated by local businesses in previous years. Volunteers from the sheriff’s office and partner agencies handled logistics, from meal preparation to post-shopping festivities.
The Charles County Sheriff’s Office described the day as a success, noting the role of community volunteers and employees in coordinating the effort. “The Shop With A Cop Program continues to brighten the holiday season for families across Charles County while strengthening positive connections between youth and law enforcement,” the office stated in a Dec. 12 social media post.
Founded in 2008 by officers Bobby Long, Jeff Feldman and Colby Shaw, the initiative draws from a national model that began in the 1990s in various U.S. communities. In Charles County, it evolved from a small gathering to an established tradition supported by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 24 and civic groups like the Waldorf Elks Lodge and Waldorf Lions Club. Early events in 2009 served 81 children, with breakfast and lunch hosted at the Elks facility, a practice that persists today. By 2017, the 10th anniversary edition again assisted 81 participants, highlighting steady community backing through fundraisers and corporate sponsorships.
The program selects children through nominations from Charles County Public Schools and social services agencies, prioritizing those facing economic challenges. Each year, organizers solicit donations via checks payable to Charles County Shop With A Cop Inc., mailed to P.O. Box 160 in Bryantown. Funds cover shopping stipends, meals and incidentals, with Walmart providing dedicated registers and early access. In 2024 announcements, officials emphasized the $200 per child budget, underscoring the focus on both festive and functional purchases.
The program’s sustainability hinges on private donations, as public funding is limited. In 2024, calls for support highlighted the need for corporate partnerships, with past donors including Wawa for meals and Cold Stone Creamery for desserts.
The event underscores a practical approach to holiday assistance in Southern Maryland, where economic pressures affect one in eight children countywide, per state data. By blending fun with necessities, Shop With A Cop reinforces community resilience, one escorted shopping trip at a time.