Sarasota Police Fill Holiday Wish Lists Of 100 Children

SARASOTA, FL—The Sarasota Police Department is asking for the public’s help to give underprivileged children a jolly holiday.

For the sixth year, Sarasota police officers are teaming up with the Sarasota Housing Authority and Target to provide holiday gifts for needy children.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, from 6 to 8 a.m., officers will join Santa for a shopping spree with 100 children at the Target at 5350 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.

"Shop with a Cop is a great opportunity for children and police officers to get to know each other at a friendly, fun event like buying Christmas presents for themselves and family members," Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said. "Over the years I have seen the generosity and heart of our officers who reach into their own pockets to cover overages at the register. The smiles I have witnessed on the faces of the children and the officers are priceless. This is the true spirit of the holiday season. Everyone leaves the event filled with joy and a lot of new friends.”.

Sarasota Housing Authority CEO William Russell said the event isn’t simply about bringing smiles to the faces of children who might not otherwise receive a gift this holiday season. It’s also about forging bonds between the police and the community, he said.

"Having a safe and strong community begins with having mutual trust and respect between community members and the men and women sworn to protect them," Russell said. "Shop with a Cop' builds positive relationships through this uplifting holiday event..”

Funding for this event is provided by a grant from IBERIABANK and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which matches donations from the community.

Those wishing to donate can send checks payable to the Sarasota Housing Funding Corp. with “Shop with a Cop” written on the memo line. Credit card donations can be made online at http://www.sarasotahousing.org/SHFC.aspx. Checks or cash donations can be dropped off at the Sarasota Housing Authority, 269 South Osprey Ave., Sarasota, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact the Sarasota Housing Authority at (941) 361-6210.

All donations will be spent on Target gift cards for children.

A public service announcement about the event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJjBdcpNUhQ

Photo provided by Sarasota Police Department