MEDINA, Ohio – Medina police officers will once again join forces with other law enforcement officers in the county to spread some holiday joy to children with the county wide Shop with a Cop program.
“Depending on funds, our department usually targets 18 to 20 kids within Medina City Schools to take shopping,” said Natalie Santivasci of the Medina Police Department.
The Medina Police Department has already begun fundraising for the program through a raffle drawing. Anyone who wants to purchase raffle tickets, which are $1 each, can go to the Medina police station, 150 W Friendship Street, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 5. The first prize is a $250 Visa gift card, second prize is a $100 Visa gift card and third prize is a $50 Visa gift card. Checks can be made payable to The Medina County Law Enforcement Association. All proceeds will support Medina police officers chaperoning children during the festivities. Kids will have the opportunity to shop for themselves during the event.
“The event is organized by the Fraternal Order of Police, but funds we raise are used to support the kids we chaperone,” Santivasci said.
Santivasci said that kids sponsored by the Medina Police Department will meet up at the Medina Police Department the morning of Dec. 7. Each child or sibling group is paired with a Medina police officer. The kids and officers then ride together to Blue Heron where they will enjoy breakfast and other festivities, then all of the kids and their chaperones ride to Walmart in a parade of safety vehicles with lights and sirens on. After shopping at Walmart, they return to Blue Heron for lunch.
Anyone with questions can contact Santivasci at 330-725-7777 or [email protected].