‘Shop With A Cop’ Spreads Holiday Cheer To More Than 70 Kids

Local businesses, community members and police officers came together to help more than 70 children Sunday morning.

Middletown and Lower Southampton police officers descended upon the Target on East Lincoln Highway to shop with the kids, who came from 67 separate local families. This year marked the community’s second annual “Shop with a Cop.”

Since helping 35 kids last year, the program has doubled in size and that required more fundraising to meet their goals, Middletown Officer Melissa Robison said.

“I can’t tell every one of the businesses and citizens who donated thank you enough. I truly hope that it inspires many more businesses and citizens to think of Middletown’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ when they have made the generous decision to donate some of their hard earned money,” she said.

Robison said while in Target, customers approached her and made cash donations right on the spot.

“It was so awesome to see how moved they were just by watching this all occur.”

Once the children had purchased their gifts, a group of volunteers helped wrap the presents.

“Shop with a Cop” is slated to return next holiday season and Robison has already started work to collect funds for the program.