MESQUITE, Nev. — On the heels of a recent donation to the Parade of Lights food drive, Mesquite Gaming, owner of the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino and Virgin River Hotel and Casino, again showed its support to the community via a $4,000 donation to the Mesquite Police Department’s “Shop with a Cop” fundraising efforts.
Mesquite Police Chief Troy Tanner said Shop with a Cop is a very important program to the members of the Mesquite Police Department and for the youth and families who benefit from the program.
“This donation was totally unexpected considering Mesquite Gaming had just made a $1,000 donation last week to the Mesquite Police Department to purchase canned food for Parade of Lights food drive,” Tanner said. “I have a deep appreciation for Mr. Toti (CEO of Mesquite Gaming) and his quiet support of community interests and activities.”
Shop with a Cop is nationally recognized program aimed at providing a bright Christmas for underserved children while building relationships between the youngsters and the police officers.
Each year the Mesquite Police Department takes between 60-80 elementary school children out for a morning of shopping and then over to the Elks Lodge No. 2811 for a quick lunch.
Officers from the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies join with Mesquite officers during the event in order to ensure there is an officer shopping with each child.
The Mesquite Police Department started its fundraising efforts for Shop with a Cop on Dec. 1. Donations had already started to trickle in from residents and area business when the department received the news Tuesday that Mesquite Gaming had made a very generous donation to the program.
During the month of December, the Mesquite Police Department invites residents to participate in the spirit of the holiday season through a donation to Shop with a Cop. Donations are accepted at the Mesquite Police Department headquarters at 695 Mayan Circle through Dec. 21.
Residents are also invited to participate in “Project Blue Light,” in which residents are asked to place a blue light in a window or outdoor light fixture or to simply display a string of blue lights to signal support of law enforcement and in memory of officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
More information about the Mesquite Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program can be found online here.
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This is such a wonderful thing to do for the less fortunate and I’m sure this will result in a positive reaction from the community and I would like to thank all those involved in making this possible.