Dreams come true with 'Shop With a Cop' in Milton

Alpharetta's Police Athletic League (PAL) held the 10th annual Shop With a Cop Dec. 10 at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Windward Parkway.

According to PAL CEO Jim Little, 76 children participated in the yearly event, which pairs kids with more than 100 police, firefighter and citizen volunteers to help bring holiday wishes to life.

The holiday program is for children whose families are unable to spend much, if anything, on holiday gifts, said Alpharetta police officer Jennifer Howard.

"The program was initially started as a way for police officers and firefighters to give back to the children in our community. It is exciting to see all the smiles and spend some time with these very special kids," said Little.

Many of the parents whose children participate in the program are single or have been forced to deal with major health issues or lost their jobs, said Howard.

"These are people who, due to life events, are having trouble financially," she said. "The parents I spoke with were so grateful for this program. I saw some of them literally moved to tears."

For the second year in a row, Milton's Public Safety Department pitched in as well.

"I invited them because tonight is about the kids," said Little.

Each child - chosen by police working with school counselors and social workers - was given $100 to buy anything he or she wanted.

PAL spent almost $8,000 to help make this year's holiday dreams come true. The Wal-Mart Foundation donated $2,500 and the Alpharetta Rotary Club donated $2,000. Generous, individual donors from the North Fulton Community made up the rest, said Howard.

All the money raised for event was spent by those children, said Little. And the coolest part, he said, is that most of the children buy gifts for others with their funds.

"A lot of times they're not even thinking about themselves," he said.

Alpharetta firefighter Brad Pryor concurred. He was deeply moved by the children's wishes.

"The first child we had wanted to get something for his brother. He was more concerned about that than himself," said Pryor. "When you see that unselfishness, it's nice. It's just good to see, especially in young kids."

Pryor and several other firefighters helped Christopher Strong, a student who attends Northwood Middle School, pick out a bicycle.

"We asked him, 'If you could have anything in here, what would it be?'" said Alpharetta Fire Captain Wes McCall. "He said, 'I'd like to have a bike to ride with my friends.'"

The bicycle was more than the allotted $100 per child, so several firefighters reached into their pockets and made up the difference.

His mom, a single mother of six, was stunned when she saw her son walk up with a new bicycle, said Howard.

"We are very fortunate," the mother said. "I thank all of you so much."
- www.northfulton.com

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