CEDAR CITY — With sirens blaring and lights flashing, Cedar City first responders grouped with wide-eyed, smiling youth and woke up the town for their annual Shop with a Cop event. On Saturday, officers from the Cedar City Police Department partnered with more than a dozen public service agencies and spent the morning shopping for Christmas presents with 92 local children.
The children and their families arrived early to enjoy breakfast with Santa at Canyon View High School prepared by the ladies of the Cedar City Elks Lodge, who have been doing this for 20 years. The Elks Lodge also donates a pair of shoes, hand-picked by each child, in addition to the breakfast.
Once breakfast was devoured, the kids buckled up in a public safety vehicle for a ride to Walmart down Main Street with lights and sirens. There they got to spend $200 each on toys, home goods, clothing or whatever they wanted. Although many residents were alarmed at the commotion, multiple messages of gratitude were received when they realized it was all for a great cause.
“This event is made possible thanks to the community’s generosity,” said Cedar City Police Sgt. Justin Ludlow. “From major contributing events like the Holiday Tree Jubilee, to Mom ‘n Pop shops to individual donations, every cent counts in making this holiday season special for these kids.”
Children of all ages raced around Walmart with enthusiasm, some walking hand-in-hand with officers, some hanging on to the shopping cart as they were zipped around the store. Baskets were loaded with items like bicycles, rollerblades, dolls and warm jackets. After picking out gifts for themselves, their families, and even some for their pets, they were guided to a special gift-wrapping station where their purchases were hand-wrapped by volunteers, including Southern Utah University student-athletes.
Public agencies that participated this year included Cedar City Police, Iron County Sheriff, Parowan Police, Enoch Police, Southern Utah University Police, Brian Head Marshal’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Adult Probation and Parole, Cedar City Fire, Bureau of Land Management, Iron County Search and Rescue, National Park Service, Gold Cross Ambulance, Iron County District Attorney’s Office, Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, and Beaver County Sheriff.
The Cedar City Shop with a Cop program accepts year-round monetary donations to assist children who are in need of extra help during the holiday season. Donations can be dropped off at the Cedar City Police Department, 10 N. Main Street, Cedar City, Utah, 84720, or by mail.
“We hope this event can continue to grow and help more and more children in the coming years,” Cedar City Police Chief Darin Adams said. “It is truly our favorite time of the year.”
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