ROGERS — Christmas came early for about 45 children and their families Saturday when the Rogers Fraternal Order of Police teamed with Pinnacle Hills Promenade to host the annual “Shop with a Cop” program.
“We’ve never been involved with this before,” Crystal Anthony, who just recently moved to Rogers, said as she waited with her sons — Alexander, 9 and Aiden, 5 — for the program to begin.
“We had some tough times in Oklahoma,” Anthony said. “We’re living with my sister right now.”
Lt. Shawn Holloway, president of the Rogers chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, said the program has been active for more than 20 years. Holloway said the group works with school counselors to identify students in Rogers schools whose families are in need of some assistance during the holiday season.
Anthony said the boys were looking forward to meeting a police officer as well as getting something extra for Christmas. She said the program will definitely make Christmas brighter at their home.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “We’re living on a $56-a-week budget right now.”
Cpl. Stan Cain with the Rogers Police Department said he has been doing the Shop with a Cop program off and on since 2000. Cain said he enjoys the different interaction with people.
“It’s just fun to do something different to help folks,” Cain said. “This is more fun than everyday police work.”
Shannon Rossiter of Lowell, who was shopping with Cain for her son, Zechairah, said she wanted to thank the officers for the help they provide to the community.
“To be able to do this means Zechariah is going to have a good Christmas,” Rossiter said. “He was able to get the toy he’s been asking for two years now. He got some jeans and a shirt and some other things he needs. I hope other families are able to benefit from this. I think it’s cool that they care for people and for the community.”
Brenda Majors, marketing manager for Pinnacle Hills Promenade, said the program helped about 50 children last year and had a similar number signed up this year. The program provides a stocking with treats, small toys and other giveaways, a plush Christmas toy, a picture with Santa and a $130 gift card to use for shopping. She said the program works to identify children who most need a little something extra.
“A lot of these children wouldn’t have much of a Christmas if it weren’t for the FOP,” Majors said. “There’s nothing more wonderful than seeing the smile on a child’s face. It’s amazing.”