To support the community and bring Christmas spirit, local police officers and volunteers participated in Shop with a Cop on Saturday, December 20, helping less fortunate families in the area.
Going on year 13 of running Shop with a Cop, police officer, and President of the Benevolent Association, Tim Boyle planned and organized the event, budgeting out $1,000 for each family to shop with.
“Everything that we do through our organization is supported by all the members of our police department,” Boyle said. “These guys aren’t getting paid to be here. It’s all volunteer work for us.”
The first time Boyle ran this event, it “worked out really well.” So well that they decided to “increase our spending to allow for more needed items, and to make sure we saved money for the fun side.”
Once families had gotten the necessary items, like clothes, toiletries and shoes, whatever money they had left to spend could go towards toys and “fun” things.
The pizza party afterwards for the families and the volunteers at Souderton Pizza and Pasta is Boyle’s favorite part of the event.
“When the guys get a chance to sit down and have lunch with the families and really get to know who they are, that personal connection, it just brings it all together,” Boyle said. “It’s about community, and it takes a ton of people to make this happen.”
For Franconia Chief of Police Michael Martin, he appreciates the role of Interact and Rotary members.
“The students in Interact and the Rotarians are invaluable. We really, really need their assistance and help,” Martin said.
One of the interactions Martin highlighted is how “polite” and “respectful” the children are.
“It’s really humbling to see how appreciative they are. It’s the most heartwarming thing,” Martin said. “I’ve been a police officer for almost 40 years. This is by far the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
Souderton-Telford Rotarian Liaison Karla Myers said she initially got involved six years ago through her work at Franconia Insurance and Financial Services, and brought the program to the attention of the Rotary Club.
“Rotary was looking to change how they did Christmas,” Myers said. “I introduced them to Shop With a Cop three years ago and got Interact involved.”
Myers gives “kudos” to Souderton Pizza and Pasta because they provide lunch afterward.
According to Interact Club President Shivahn Becht, her experience volunteering at Shop with a Cop was “so much fun.”
“10/10 would recommend,” Becht said. “It makes a huge impact.”