Annual Shop with a Cop a holiday success

TOP PHOTO: This year’s Shop with a Cop helped 300 children have a Merry Christmas.

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – The annual Shop with a Cop program helped 300 Campbell County children have happier holidays this year. 

According to Jacksboro Police Chief Jeremy Goins, the program expanded this year, providing 300 kids with $100 each for holiday shopping. This year’s program raised $31,000 in total for the kids. “We shopped with around 300 kids and they were allowed to spend $100 each. We increased the amount from $75 from last year,” Goins said.

The Shop with a Cop program was established in 1998 and has been hosted by the Jacksboro Police Department since its inception.  

Each year multiple law enforcement agencies join together for the holiday event helping local children. Participating agencies included the Jacksboro Police Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Parks, Campbell County Sheriff’s Department, LaFollette Police Department, Caryville Police Department, Jacksboro Fire Department, Eighth Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, Tennessee Wildlife Department, and Tennessee Department of Corrections.

According to Goins, “Shop with a Cop not only brings joy to children in Campbell County, it brings joy to everyone who participates.”

The Shop with a Cop program raised more funds this year, allowing the program to provide more shopping money for the kids. 

Goins also said he wanted to say thank you to all the donors, business, churches, and law enforcement agencies that make this possible.

“It is a humbling experience to shop with children in our community and make Christmas come true for them. We are overwhelmed with gratitude at all of the donations and support of the citizens of Campbell County to continue this yearly program. This program could not happen without your support! We are honored at Jacksboro Police Department to spearhead this program every year.” Goins said.

The Jacksboro Police Department and other law enforcement officials involved extended a “Huge thank you to the donors, school counselors, officers, and Wal Mart employees for creating the spirit of magic this holiday season, as we were able to give the gift of Christmas to hundreds of children.” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/14/2021-6AM)