The Clackamas County Peace Officers' Benevolent Foundation ( http://www.ccpobf.org/ ) cohosted its annual "Shop with a Cop" charitable event on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Clackamas WalMart (10000 SE 82nd Ave. Happy Valley, OR. 97086).

During "Shop with a Cop," local lawenforcement officers locate children whose families have had some enforcement contact with police, present those children with gift cards, and then shop with them at the WalMart.

WalMart provided a separate checkout area for the event wrapping all the gifts for the kids and supplying gift wrap, ribbon and tags. It was an opportunity for police and kids to get to know one another; any concerns the kids may have had about police are often changed for the better.

The North Clackamas School District brought 50 children and Molalla P.D. brought 10 children; Canby P.D. will be bringing a group of children with them, as well. These children will each receive a $100 WalMart gift certificate and will be "assigned" their very own law enforcement officers to accompany them during their shopping sprees.

ABOUT 'SHOP WITH A COP'

"Shop with a Cop" helps bridge relationships between children and the police. These children are specifically chosen because their families may have experienced prior lawenforcement activity with police creating a significant impact on the child. Witnessing the arrest of a loved one can cause many youngsters to harbor strong negative feelings towards lawenforcement. "Shop with a Cop" presents an opportunity to identify with those children and pair them together with a lawenforcement officer in a positive situation shopping for Christmas presents.

Once again, WalMart has graciously donated $1,000 to the event in addition to providing WalMart staff and all necessary wrapping paper.

Along with WalMart's generosity, the event would not be possible without the Clackamas County Benevolent Foundation's support provided by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Canby Police Department, Molalla Police Department, West Linn Police Department, and public generosity. All had a major hand in contributing financially and physically to this event.

One member of this supportive community is Neil Hughes. Mr. Hughes is a mortgage specialist who helps bring awareness to the foundation and regularly contributes himself. This past Tuesday, Nov. 30, Neil Hughes donated $500, which will support five more fortunate children. Thank you, Neil Hughes!

DONATIONS WELCOME

All members of the community are more than welcomed to participate in this event by donating any amount of money in the form of check or money order made out to CCPO Benevolent Foundation, P.O. Box 426 Oregon City, OR 97045.

If you prefer, for your convenience, your donations will be accepted at any of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office stations.

ABOUT THE CCPOBF

The Clackamas County Peace Officers Benevolent Foundation is a (taxeductable) nonprofit charitable organization that assists police officers and their families in Clackamas County when an officer is injured or killed. The Foundation also works closely with programs dedicated to helping atrisk children. The Foundation has worked with Lot Whitcomb Elementary School on several projects, all helping kids who live in the Overland Park area of Clackamas County.