City of Fernandina Beach Police Department Press Release
Submitted by James T. Hurley, Police Chief
The Fernandina Beach Police Department conducted its 10th annual Shop with Cops program at the Amelia Island WalMart store, treating area children to Christmas Carols, hot chocolate, face painting, and holiday shopping. Once again the one-hundred-fifty (150) participating children were selected by their school guidance counselors and each was paired up with a Fernandina Beach Police Officer and turned loose to find the perfect gifts for themselves and others.
The 10th Anniversary event managed to produce some surprises, including the appearance of Santa Clause while the children waited to check out with their packages and the opportunity to talk to Santa and have a photograph taken. This unique program, which takes place in communities all across America, provides an opportunity for children in our own neighborhoods to spend some valuable time interacting with our uniformed police officers in a happy an positive environment. This kind of interaction is an important step in teaching some disaffected kids that police officers are guardians of the young and should be trusted in times of difficulty.
This annual event is made possible by generous donations received throughout the year, from dozens of anonymous contributors and from our two wonderful “Platinum Sponsors,” the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, and the Eight Flags American Business Woman’s Association. Without the participation of these two groups, and our many community partners, the Shop with Cops program would not be possible. Donations can be made to this program through the Fernandina Beach Police Foundation, located at the Fernandina Beach Police Department. A short slideshow and additional information about the Shop with Cops program is available on the Fernandina Beach Police Foundation website.
December 23, 2013 6:45 a.m.