SHOP WITH A COP OF BLOUNT COUNTY
Held every December, the program's main service event pairs approximately 80 underprivileged and at-risk children ages 6-10 with a law enforcement officer for a shopping spree leading up to Christmas. The hope is that this experience of shopping for toys alongside Blount County's finest will instill in each child a positive experience with law enforcement which will carry into their adolescence and adulthood. This event started in 1989 when a small group of officers quite literally passed around a hat and collected money to take a single child in need shopping for toys. Each year since then the program has grown with thousands of kids being served over the past 30 years.
In 2016, Shop with a Cop became a stand alone 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of helping at risk and under-served children within the county. With any additional funds received, Shop with a Cop is able to assist children throughout the year. These children, usually identified by a school resource officer or an after-school program, may be in need of clothes or shoes for school, home items, or just some extra time and a friend to listen.
Participating agencies include:
- Knoxville Metropolitan Airport Authority Law Enforcement
- Townsend Police Department
- City of Alcoa Police Department
- City of Maryville Police Department
- Blount County Sheriff's Office
Applications for the Shop with a Cop December shopping program are not available to the public. At risk and underprivileged children are identified by referral from school resource officers, school guidance counselors, public aid workers, or other charitable organizations.
Support Our Shop with a Cop Events
Our Story
Find out about our mission and how this all got started.
Maryville Police and Fire Chief Tony Crisp, who along with retired Blount County Sheriff Officer, Chief Deputy Ron Dunn, was instrumental in getting the program started, said it all began with one 9-year-old boy.
Crisp and Dunn got to know the child when he attended a Fraternal Order of Police summer camp in 1989. The boy’s mother died not long after. At their Christmas party that year, Crisp and Dunn passed a hat to their fellow law enforcement officers and used the money to take that boy Christmas shopping. It’s only grown since.
Join Our Heartwarming Shopping Tradition Today
Take Action
Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself.
Click above to sponsor a child or make a donation to this year’s event!
VOLUNTEER
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