View Photos
Every year, the San Bernardino Law Enforcement community puts on its Santa hat and helps local children who might not otherwise have had such a great Christmas. Utilizing the first hand knowledge of working deputies and other professionals, children in need are chosen to become recipients of the Shop With A Cop program.
This is the program’s tenth year, and, according to SEBA Special Events Coordinator Michael Tulisiak, about 550 children were assisted.
“It was fabulous,” Tulisiak said. “The children arrive at a Wal Mart, we match them up with a member of public safety, and they do their shopping.”
Every Wal Mart in the County was visited by a contingent from the program, the children ready to choose what they like.
Children are nominated by members of the law enforcement community, plus about 100 foster children. The program relies on the knowledge of working public safety personnel to find receipients for Shop With A Cop.
“There’s so much need, we make a little dent in it,” Tulisiak said.
For instance, Capt. Michael Mascetti said, in Fontana, they relied on a school resource officer, who recommended 20 children. The SRO knows these kids, having contact with them all year.
“I took one of the kids around,” Capt. Mascetti said. “He was more interested in buying gifts for his littlest brother, who was sick.”
“I’ve done this for the last three years. It’s a terrific experience.”
The ages of the children vary, though most are over ten. Tulisiak said they do this on purpose as many similar programs serve younger children, often leaving older children out.
“We go all the way up to 18 years old. These are the kids we want to make an impact on, they are at the highest risk factor for getting in trouble,” Tulisiak said.
In addition to helping the children, it also puts them in contact with a law enforcement professional, which will hopefully have an impact on the child’s life.
Not only are the children affected, the law enforcement professionals involved are too. “The deputies were very moved by the program. It’s a very emotional thing when you get there and realize what these kids are going through,” Yucaipa Station Captain Lee Hamblin said. “It’s a real rewarding moment.”
Funding for the program comes through donations from individuals and organizations. Major funding this year came from: Alaina Mathews; Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians; James and Rowena Ramos; Wal Mart; San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Ken and Sean Ramirez; and Jim Previti.
Over the last ten years, Shop With A Cop has spent more than $750,000 for more than 4,000 children. This year’s bill was $110,000.
Donate Now to Shop With A Cop 2012
View Photos
|