Laurel Police Department and the Jones County Sheriff’s Department teamed up Saturday and presented underprivileged children with bikes and other gifts, giving back to the community.
The Laurel Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police is held its annual “Shop with a Cop” event at the Laurel Police Department Training Center and Pistol Range.
Laurel Lodge Fraternal Order of Police President Layne Bounds noted, "Shop With A Cop is one of the most exciting and personally fulfilling events of the year for our FOP members. Being able to provide Christmas gifts to children who otherwise would not receive them makes all the hard work and effort worth it. The smiles we've seen this morning from these children, parents, and family members surely are heartwarming."
The Laurel Lodge FOP “Shop With A Cop” event is the longest-running event in the United States.
Bounds concluded, "We thank our corporate and individual sponsors so very much for helping make Shop With A Cop possible. From all of the Laurel Lodge FOP members, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!"
Typically, children accompany law enforcement officers to Wal-Mart to shop together for their Christmas presents. Due to COVID-19, police officers and deputies did the shopping at Wal-Mart Wednesday afternoon and have had the presents wrapped in gift bags for the children to open Saturday morning at the event.
The children who were selected earlier by FOP members based on law enforcement referrals to help those with less fortunate families.
Both departments thanked Wal-Mart for being a constant supporter of the “Shop with a Cop” event each year.