Alpharetta Police Expect 100 Children Will Christmas Shop With A Cop

The Alpharetta Police Athletic League (PAL) will once again sponsor its annual Shop with a Cop event next month.

The initiative will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Walmart at 5200 Windward Parkway.

Last year, Shop with a Cop was a major success and it would not have been possible without the generous donations received, said Alpharetta Special Services Unit Youth Officer Phil Ritchey.

This year, PAL plans to help at least 100 children. Each child will be accompanied by a police officer, firefighter or community volunteer as he or she shops for Christmas gifts.

Ritchey is also appreciative of the Milton police and fire departments for helping with the event each year. Raising funds is a major factor for this event, but it can’t be done without police, fire and volunteers helping with the event, Ritchey added.

“Throughout the year, representatives of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety come across families who, for whatever reason, face financial challenges,” he said. “These financial challenges often carry into the holiday season and impact their ability to buy gifts for their children.”

PAL also contacts North Fulton Community Charities and receives families from them as well.

Each child will be able to spend up to $100. Although this allotment is theirs to spend on items for themselves, these children often choose to spend some of the money on gifts for their parents or siblings.

As part of the Shop with a Cop program, PAL will also deliver holiday meals to the neediest of families on Saturday, Dec. 15. Donation boxes for canned foods will be placed in all city of Alpharetta public buildings and fire stations.

For more information about Alpharetta PAL or how to volunteer for Shop with a Cop or holiday meal deliveries, contact either Veronica Carew, PAL executive director at veronica@alphapal.org or 678-297-6212 or Officer Phil Ritchey at pritchey@alpharetta.ga.us or at 678-297-6309 (press option one when prompted).

Photo credit: Shutterstock