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HOWLAND – Nearly three dozen children were treated to dinner and a $100 shopping spree Wednesday during the sixth annual Shop with a Cop event at Super Kmart at the Eastwood Mall complex in Niles.
The event was the largest ever for the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office. There were 22 deputies and 34 children browsing the aisles of the department store. The program helps families who, for various reasons, might not be able to provide needed holiday gifts. The deputies said the sheriff’s office works with community partners throughout the holiday season to demonstrate service to the children.
“The planning begins around Thanksgiving,” Deputy Dallas Young said, “but the local schools and the deputies can submit names of deserving children all year long.”
Children were treated to a dinner of pizza, a visit with Santa Claus and a $100 gift card to spend with a police buddy during the evening.
“Unfortunately we are not able to help all children who need it,” Young said.
According to the deputy, seven school districts in Trumbull County are contacted to submit the names of children from families who need help this holiday season. Any Trumbull County child is eligible,but outlying areas that do not have a department holding their own Shop with a Cop event are the focus of the evening.
“Part of out goal is to find the kids winter wear to alleviate the stress on parents to buy them,” Young said.
The search through the store for gloves is important, he said. Part of the job of the evening is to help children know what to buy.
While Young was busy finding necessities for his young shopping partner, Gage, other officers were busy filling lists for other needed items.
Deputy Bernice Cintron helped Tia, of Mecca, find the right dress and style that would best suit the young pre-teen. The ladies discussed sizes and tastes as they shopped.
Other officers were building relationships with those of different generations.
Deputy Ryan Verbosky was accompanied by his own son Mason, 12, while he shopped with John Badanjek and his grandson, 5-year-old, Tanner, from Southington. The group was focused on buying Tanner a fishing pole. Tanner was also looking for a train and a monster truck.
“My favorite part of tonight is providing gifts for kids that need it,” Mason Verbosky said. ” I like to help children in Trumbull County.”
Other shoppers at the event included 2-year-old Rainn Peterson from North Bloomfield. The Peterson family, including Rainn’s brothers, 4-year-old Legion and 3-year-old Lucian, were treated as special guests of Sheriff Thomas Altiere’s office.
Rainn was missing from her great-grandparents home for nearly two days in early October. She was found alive by a volunteer searcher who lived nearby.